A firefghter was fighting for his life Monday while authorities in Idaho were trying to determine why a sniper ignited a blaze then ambushed and fatally shot and killed two responding firefighters.
The sniper was found dead following a shootout with police, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. The wounded firefighter was in stable condition late Sunday, Norris said.
The discovery of the shooter’s body on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking destination outside the city of Coeur d’Alene, culminated six hours of frenzied activity that saw around 300 local, state and federal officers flock to the area. It began with the suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, lighting an early afternoon fire and then shooting the first responders who came to put it out.
“This was a total ambush,” Norris said at a briefing late Sunday. “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
One of the slain firefighters worked at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and the other worked for the Coeur D’Alene Fire Department. The wounded firefighter also works for the Coeur D’Alene department.
Sniper found dead: Firefighters slain in ambush attack on Idaho mountain
Gov. Little: ‘Heinous, direct assault’
Authorities found the shooter’s body and a nearby firearm using cellphone location data, Norris said. It’s unclear how the suspect died, but Norris said law enforcement responding to the shooting had exchanged gunfire with him.
Gov. Brad Little said he and wife, Terese, were “heartbroken.”
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” Little said in a social media post. “This is 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.”
Shooting occurred in popular destination for hikers, bikers
The shooter’s body was discovered on Canfield Mountain, a forested area that is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Canfield Mountain Natural Area is a 24-acre open space park that has trails rated intermediate in difficulty and a few advanced areas, according to the city of Coeur d’Alene.
There are more than 25 miles of trails in the area, according to a Forest Service fact sheet.
“Some trails are steep and have ruts, rocks, roots or other obstacles,” the Forest Service said. “Others have loose rock or steep drop-offs along the edge.”
Timeline of the Canfield Mountain attack
At 1:21 p.m. local time, emergency dispatchers received a phone call reporting a fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain, Norris said. The caller did not reveal his name and is not believed to be the gunman.
Firefighters arrived at the scene, and at 2 p.m. firefighters broadcast that there were shots fired.
Hundreds of law enforcement agents responded to the scene of the shooting. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Norris said.
Investigators used cellphone location data and discovered a signal on Canfield Mountain that had not moved since 3:16 p.m. Authorities honed in on the location and discovered the man who they believe to be the suspect.
Just after 7:40 p.m., the Kootenai Sheriff’s Office announced that a man had been found dead and lifted the shelter in place order.
Where is Coeur d’Alene?
The attack on the firefighters happened outside Coeur d’Alene, a small city in northwest Idaho about 250 miles east of Seattle.
U.S. Census data estimates say it has a population of over 57,000.
It is located in Kootenai County, an area north of the Coeur d’Alene Native American Reservation. Kootenai borders Washington state and has a population of over 188,000, according to the latest Census estimates.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sniper who shot, killed 2 firefighters in Idaho found dead: Updates
