Two firefighters were killed and another critically wounded in a calculated ambush on Sunday in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a man allegedly set a blaze to draw in first responders and then opened fire, authorities said. The attack unfolded on Canfield Mountain, just north of the city, and spanned several hours as emergency personnel were met with relentless sniper fire. According to Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, the shooter used a high-powered sporting rifle to carry out the assault, firing rapidly at both firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Emergency services were initially dispatched to respond to a reported fire at around 1:21 p.m. PST. Within 40 minutes of their arrival, reports surfaced that responders were under active gunfire. Sheriff Norris described the situation as a “total ambush,” stating, “These firefighters did not have a chance.” The attack claimed the lives of a Coeur d’Alene firefighter and a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue firefighter, while a third firefighter was hospitalized in stable condition. Their identities have not yet been released.
More than 300 law enforcement personnel from city, county, state, and federal agencies responded to the scene. Among the responders were helicopters with snipers onboard, attempting to neutralize the threat. Despite early concerns that multiple shooters could be involved, investigators later determined that the gunman acted alone. Using mobile phone location data, authorities ultimately located the deceased suspect near the scene, though it remains unclear whether he died by suicide or was killed by responding officers.
Smoke from the 20-acre fire complicated the response, making aerial surveillance challenging even with heat-seeking technology. Sheriff Norris emphasized the urgency of recovering the suspect’s body as the wildfire advanced, saying, “A fire was rapidly approaching that body. And we had to scoop up that body and transport that body to another location.” He also noted that the scene was still very active and that more weapons might be recovered once crews could safely reenter the area.
Due to the threat, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding community and remained in effect for approximately seven hours. The shooting took place in a mountainous region popular among hikers, located about 260 miles east of Seattle. Law enforcement officials believe the gunman may have hidden weapons in various locations and moved while firing, which contributed to initial confusion over the number of assailants.
Local and national fire associations expressed grief over the loss. Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), confirmed the deaths and called the attack “a heinous act of violence” in a statement on X. Pat Riley, the local fire chief, told KHQ that he was “heartbroken” by the tragedy.
Residents of Coeur d’Alene, a city of roughly 56,000 near the Washington border, were shaken by the event. “This has never happened here,” said 80-year-old Linda Tiger, a longtime resident. “But it goes to show that that no-one is safe from this kind of mental sadness.”
Law enforcement officials have urged the public to avoid the area and refrain from flying drones, which could interfere with ongoing investigations and firefighting efforts. As authorities continue to probe the motive behind the attack, they remain cautious in releasing further information due to the preliminary nature of the findings.
Investigation and Community in Shock After Tragic Shooting
As Canfield Mountain continues to smolder, the small city of Coeur d’Alene is left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. With two firefighters dead and another recovering, law enforcement is piecing together a motive behind an act described as nothing short of an ambush. The case has rattled a tight-knit community unaccustomed to violence of this scale. Investigators continue to examine the scene, aware that more information and weapons may still be uncovered once the fire is contained.
