BREAKING: Two people are shot dead as firefighters are ambushed in northern Idaho
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Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans, posted on X about today’s shooting.
“I am monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d’Alene this evening,” Crapo said. “I urge local residents to follow recommendations of law enforcement.”
Both said they are praying for those affected.
Risch said he and his wife, Vicki, are monitoring developments. “We pray for the safety of our brave first responders,” he said.
Video from near where the Canfield Mountain shooting broke out this afternoon shows at least two police vehicles speeding down the street, apparently on their way to respond to the event.
Orange cones placed in a line appeared to block all but emergency vehicles from passing to a certain area. The person who posted the video to social media said the area was blocked off so a medevac helicopter could land.
Life Flight Network, an air transportation firm specializing in emergency medical flights, said it sent three helicopters to the area of the shooting but has not taken anyone to medical facilities.
“Life Flight Network has sent three helicopters to the area at the request of local law enforcement,” spokesperson Natalie Hannah said by email.
The aircraft are based in Spokane, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho, she said.
“No patients have been transported yet but our teams remain at the ready to respond at the request of incident command,” Hannah said.
It’s possible it may be too dangerous to land and transport potential patients. Gunfire continues, according to Norris, the sheriff.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little condemned today’s shooting on Canfield Mountain, which he called a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
He said on X that he and his wife are heartbroken and called on the people of Idaho to pray for the victims and their families.
He also asked those nearby to clear the area so law enforcement and firefighters can continue to do their work.
The shooting started after firefighters responded to Canfield Mountain for reports of a fire.
Because officials are using so many of their resources on shooting victims and to try to neutralize the shooter or shooters, the fire cannot be put out, Norris said.
The fire, which has been named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, is less than an acre large, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
Meanwhile, a heat advisory will be in effect for the area starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. Temperatures could be as high as 104 degrees.
Sheriff Robert Norris said he’s receiving help from federal and local agencies.
FBI spokeswoman Sandra Barker said the bureau has agents assigned to the situation. “I can confirm we’re assisting,” she said by email.
At least one agent from the U.S. Marshals Service was also observed at the scene, carrying a long gun.
Law enforcement was taking fire on Canfield Mountain this afternoon, hoping for an opening to take down the shooter or shooters, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said.
“This is a very, very fresh situation,” he said. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”
He said whoever’s shooting is using “high-powered” long guns, and he indicated there’s no easy solution for law enforcement. In addition, he said, it’s not clear whether they’re facing one shooter or more.
“I’m hoping that someone has a clear shot and is able to neutralize the threat,” Norris said at a news conference.
Norris said civilians are still coming off of the mountain as officials try to clear it.
Sheriff’s officers are taking active sniper fire, Norris said. The shots are coming from multiple locations. No officers have been hit.
He said the situation is both active and “very, very fresh.”
Officials are “prepared to neutralize the suspect who is currently actively shooting,” Norris said.
A shooter killed two people in northern Idaho this afternoon as fire personnel responded to a blaze that broke out on Canfield Mountain, authorities said.
Officials got initial calls about the fire at 1:21 p.m., Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said. By 2 p.m., it was reported that those firefighters were being shot at.
Norris said he believes both people who were killed were fire personnel. The number of injuries is unknown.
Canfield Mountain is in Cour d’Alene, which is in northwestern Idaho, about 30 miles from Spokane, Washington.
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