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A SWAT team has located a deceased man and a nearby firearm hours after a sniper shot and killed two firefighters and injured another while they were battling a wildfire in Idaho, authorities confirmed late Sunday.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s office said the deceased male was located on Canfield Mountain. A shelter in place was lifted, but an active wildfire remained, the sheriff’s office said.
The update came hours after the International Association of Fire Fighters confirmed that the two victims who were killed were firefighters. Some 300 law enforcement officers were on scene.
“While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery,” the association said. “Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the agency responded to the scene to provide tactical and operational support.
“FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support. It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” Bongino said just before 9 p.m.
During a news conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said two firefighters were killed and a third was fighting for his life but was in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
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“We do believe the suspect started the fire and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,” he said, noting that a preliminary investigation suggests there was only one gunman. “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
The sheriff said a recommendation was made at about 6:30 p.m. to neutralize the shooter. Law enforcement was able to track a cellphone signal to the suspect’s location.
He added that the fire compromised evidence at the crime scene, saying: “we felt that as the fire was approaching we needed to scoop up that body.”
It is unclear if the suspect had more than one weapon. That determination will not be made until the fire diminishes. The investigation will continue Monday morning, the sheriff said. Crews will continue working through the night.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert earlier Sunday afternoon stating: “Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries have been reported, though the severity remains unknown. Please avoid the area.”
Norris had said that they were developing a plan to move people out of the mountains as soon as they had the fire under control.
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Officials confirmed that the firefighters were responding to a brush fire near East Nettleton Gulch Road when the shooting started.
Norris said earlier that the suspect used what appeared to be “modern-day, high-powered, sporting rifles.”
“We’re taking rapid fire,” Norris said.
Due to the danger, fire crews had to retreat, and the brush fire continues to pose a threat. Authorities were urging residents in the vicinity to stay vigilant and exercise caution as the situation develops.
“I would encourage all of you to tell people to stay away from the area, do not come to the area. Stay away from the area,” Norris said earlier. “This is going to be if these, individuals are not neutralized quickly, this is going to be a likely a multi-day operation.”
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Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a statement and said more support was heading to Idaho.
“Thank you to our incredible @FBI agents on the ground assisting local authorities in Idaho. We are praying for all,” Bondi wrote.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also said their department is actively monitoring the situation and that “justice will be served.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little reacted to the incident in a post on X.
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken,” Little wrote. “As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs.”
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also reacted to the situation, stating that this should never happen.
“Deeply saddened by reports that firefighters were shot while bravely responding to a fire in North Idaho. These heroes put their lives on the line for us every day; they should never be targets,” Labrador said. “Please keep our first responders and their families in your prayers.”
Norris said the sheriff’s office was in communication with the White House, FBI, and governor’s office.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
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