Gunman found dead after killing at least two firefighters, cops in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after 'blaze set as bait'
By Melissa Koenig
Daily Mail
Jun 29, 2025
Police officers and firefighters who responded to the scene of a brush fire in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho were shot at on Sunday afternoon
A gunman who opened fire on first responders who responded to a blaze in Idaho on Sunday has been found dead.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that SWAT teams found the unidentified male dead on Canfield Mountain outside of Coeur d'Alene with a firearm nearby.
It is believed he set the blaze in the woods as bait for first responders, killing two firefighters who responded to the scene at around 2pm and injuring a number of others.
A shelter-in-place order has now been lifted, though officials warn there is still an active wildfire after crews were forced to pull back when the shooting began, Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley had earlier explained to KHQ.
He then said at a news conference Sunday night that he was not deploying any more firefighters to the area until the threat was neutralized.
Those who responded to the scene were heard in harrowing radio dispatch calls revealing the terror they faced as they went to battle the blaze.
'Send law enforcement right now! There's an active shooter zone,' one firefighter could be heard crying out.
'Everybody's shot up here!' the firefighter continued, noting that two battalion chiefs were 'down' and he was 'pinned.'
The fire was still blazing Sunday night as crews were forced to pull back when the shooting began
Authorities are working to bring the assailants into custody, as Sheriff Bob Norris gave the authority to shoot to kill them
He was later heard warning his fellow firefighters, 'Stop. Do not come up here.'
'It's clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,' the firefighter claimed.
Another firefighter was later heard telling dispatch he had 'no idea where the shooters [are] at or where they're going in, in which direction,' one person could be heard telling dispatch.
'I would recommend that our units, all of our firing units, escape further down the pavement towards town, maybe a half a mile or so to a safe staging area,' the first responder said, according to NBC News.
He continued to say they were going to need 'multiple ambulances' at the scene.
'As soon as we get law enforcement in here to get these people out, I recommend we get no less than five... ambulances staged at the bottom. I don't care where we get them from.'
The shooting continued into Sunday evening, as Sheriff Norris gave police the authority to shoot to kill the perpetrators if they are given the opportunity.
'I am hoping someone has a clear shot, they are not showing any signs of wanting to surrender,' Norris said of the shooters, adding that it is 'going to be a tough couple of hours' as the fire continues to burn and civilians may remain trapped on Canfield Mountain.
Life Flight helicopters were deployed to the scene, and photos and videos posted online showed a large police presence in the surrounding area.
Authorities from Spokane, Washington provided assistance in what they described on social media as an 'active, ongoing incident' on East Nettleton Gulch Road.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also confirmed on social media that assets were heading to the scene to provide 'tactical and operational support,' and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the US Forest Service deployed additional firefighting and law enforcement resources.
Additionally, law enforcement agents and medical professionals were on standby at Kootenai Health, where one firefighter remained in surgery Sunday night.
It is believed a shooter set a fire intentionally to draw first responders to the scene
Law enforcement officers gather at Cherry Hill Park after multiple firefighters were attacked
US Marshals were pictured at the scene of the shooting on Sunday evening
Photos and videos posted online show a large police presence in the surrounding area
A United States Customs and Border Protection helicopter lifts off from Cherry Hill Park in search of the shooters
Fire Chief Riley said he 'was completely heartbroken' when he got the news of the shooting.
'We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community.'
The shooting prompted the evacuation of the Fernan Gun Club, whose members were told there was a sniper in the area, the Coeur d'Alene Press reports.
But resident Mark Lathrop expressed more concern about the fire than he did about the active shooting.
'They have cleared the underbrush, but where they're going to be, it's going to be pretty thick and it's very, very dry. We haven't had a lot of rain here,' he told CNN, noting that there are also a lot of places where the suspects could be hiding out.
'If you went away from town, these logging roads go 30 to 50 miles. You’ll hit another town, so quite a big area to search,' Lathrop said.
The fire continued to burn on Canfield Mountain Sunday evening
Residents watched as a processional of emergency vehicles passed by following the shooting
Roads were shut down in the area as authorities responded to the scene
An armored police vehicle travels towards Canfield Mountain
Meanwhile, Idaho Gov. Brad Little has called the attack 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,' he said, adding that he and his wife are 'heartbroken' by the news.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also said her department is actively monitoring the situation.
'Pray for Idaho's first responders,' she wrote on X. 'Justice will be served.'
1 comment:
They found a dead guy and a rifle. They THINK it is the shooter. How fucked up to you have to be to set up an ambush for fire fighters? What is the point in it.
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