Firefighters killed in Idaho after being lured into sniper ambush
Two firefighters were shot and killed and a third seriously wounded after being targeted by a gunman who allegedly set a fire to draw them in. Authorities say the suspect was later found dead near the scene in Coeur d’Alene.
Emergency crews responding to a small brush fire on Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho were met with gunfire Sunday afternoon, resulting in a deadly ambush that left two firefighters dead and another seriously injured. Officials believe the fire may have been deliberately set to lure first responders into a trap.
“Everybody’s shot up here”
The incident began just after 1:30 p.m., when fire crews were called to a blaze near a popular hiking area in Coeur d’Alene. About half an hour later, dispatchers received a chilling radio call from a firefighter on scene.
“We need law enforcement up here immediately,” the firefighter said. “There’s an active shooter zone… Everybody’s shot up here.”
Authorities say the gunman was lying in wait, concealed in the woods.
“It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,” the firefighter added.
During a Sunday night press conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that the two people killed were fire personnel. A third firefighter remained hospitalized in surgery.
The International Association of Fire Fighters posted on social media that their members had been “ambushed in a heinous act of violence.” They added, “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper… Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
The firefighters’ identities have not yet been publicly released.
What happened to the suspect?
The Kootenai County SWAT team later found a deceased man with a firearm nearby on the mountain. Officials believe he was the shooter, though his identity has not been confirmed.
“We are looking into whether the fire may have been used to draw first responders to the scene,” said Lt. Jeff Howard of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have joined the investigation. Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis called the scene “almost like a battlefield,” describing the desperate radio calls as firefighters were pinned behind their truck while colleagues bled on the ground.
Residents near Canfield Mountain were initially placed under a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. However, authorities are urging continued caution due to ongoing wildfire concerns.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the shooting, calling it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He added, “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
This attack has shaken the local community and raised new concerns about the risks first responders face—not just from natural threats, but from targeted violence. As investigations continue, officials are focused on supporting the victims’ families and determining why this ambush occurred.
