Authorities in Idaho say a lone gunman suspected of deliberately starting a wildfire and fatally ambushing firefighters on Canfield Mountain was found dead on Sunday after an hours-long standoff.
The suspected shooter, armed with high-powered rifles, reportedly opened fire on crews tackling the blaze, killing two firefighters and critically injuring a third.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed the suspect’s death and recovery of a firearm at the scene, stating, “We do believe that the suspect started the fire and that it was an ambush, and it was intentional. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
Roughly 300 law enforcement personnel were deployed to the area, a popular park and hiking zone. As of Sunday evening, the wildfire remained active, though no evacuations had yet been ordered.
The injured firefighter is undergoing surgery and remains in stable condition. The sheriff assured residents that the threat to the public had ended.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the incident as “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” expressing heartbreak in a public statement.
Fire Chief Pat Riley echoed the sentiment, describing the attack as deeply devastating and noting the challenge of accessing the blaze’s location due to the ongoing danger.
The United States has recorded 189 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, in a country where gun violence continues to claim lives amid limited regulatory barriers.
What you should know
A gunman believed to have intentionally set a wildfire on Idaho’s Canfield Mountain ambushed firefighters, killing two and wounding another before being found dead.
Authorities say the attack was premeditated and involved high-powered rifles.
Governor Brad Little and local officials condemned the attack, with no motive yet identified, and the community mourns the fallen firefighters.
