The shooting occurred at 2 p.m. on 29/6 in the Canfield Mountain area of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed at least two firefighters were killed, with the number of injured unknown.
Initial reports suggest shots were fired from multiple directions. The fire continued to burn as police engaged the shooter.
"We don't know if there are one, two, three, or four shooters. Right now, officers are facing sniper fire. The suspect shows no sign of surrender. I want officers to neutralize the threat as soon as they have the chance," Norris said.
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Police deployed to the Canfield Mountain area in Idaho after the shooting on 29/6. Photo: CDApress |
Police deployed to the Canfield Mountain area in Idaho after the shooting on 29/6. Photo: CDApress
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the possibility that the suspect intentionally started the fire to lure firefighters to the scene. FBI agents have reportedly arrived to assist Kootenai County officials.
The Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management urged residents in the area to shelter in place and asked others to avoid the scene.
Idaho Governor Brad Little described the incident as a "senseless, direct attack on brave firefighters" and urged people to stay away from the area so law enforcement and firefighters can do their jobs.
A Department of Homeland Security official said Secretary Kristi Noem has been briefed on the situation.
Shootings in the US are classified as mass shootings if four or more people, excluding the suspect, are shot. The Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-profit that tracks gun violence incidents, reports at least 189 mass shootings have occurred in the US this year.
Thuy Lam (CNN, ABC News, CBS News)
