Two firefighters were killed and a third was injured when first responders were ambushed by an hours-long barrage of gunfire after arriving at the scene of a blaze in Idaho Sunday afternoon, authorities said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The horrific attack, which began around 2 p.m. local time on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d\u2019Alene, ended about five hours later when SWAT teams discovered the lifeless body of a man next to a firearm on the popular tourist trail, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff\u2019s Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a total ambush, these firefighters did not have a chance,\u201d Sheriff Bob Norris told reporters after the massive manhunt, assuring the community there is no longer an active threat.<\/p>\n
At least two people were killed after a gunman allegedly opened fire Sunday. KXLY<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have currently one dead shooter based on the preliminary investigation that was being conducted.\u00a0Keep in mind we had a fire that was rapidly approaching the body so we had to scoop up that body and we had to transport that body to a different location. We believe that it is the only shooter that was on that mountain at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police have not released the suspected gunman\u2019s identity, the type of weapon recovered at the gruesome scene, or the cause of his death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A motive remains under investigation but police believe the fire was intentionally set to lure first responders into a deadly trap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two people killed in the shootout are believed to be fire personnel. REUTERS<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do believe that the suspect started the fire and we do believe it was an ambush and it was intentional,\u201d Norris said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A Coeur d\u2019Alene firefighter and a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue member were shot dead in the sudden strike.<\/p>\n
The third victim, a Coeur d\u2019Alene firefighter who was shot during the violent surprise attack, is recovering at Kootenai Health after undergoing surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Deputies have not yet determined whether there is a single shooter or multiple suspects involved. REUTERS<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is fighting for his life but he\u2019s in stable condition,\u201d the sheriff added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No other first responders or civilians were hurt in the ruthless rampage.<\/p>\n
The deadly shooting erupted roughly 30 minutes after first responders were called to a small but active brush fire on the\u00a0east side of the\u00a0mountain.<\/p>\n
As fire crews moved in to tackle the blaze, bullets suddenly rained down from multiple directions shot by an unknown assailant hiding in the woods, officials said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police on the scene in Coeur d\u2019Alene, Idaho. KXLY<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew that our resources were exhausted and if this were to prolong into a 24- to 48-hour operation we would need additional helicopters,\u201d Norris said of the relentless gunfight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had two helicopters that were up and we had snipers in them, so if they had an opportunity to take a shot we wanted them to take that shot. We wanted to neutralize that threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FBI responded to the scene providing tactical and operational support, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said, with\u00a0about 300 first responders also on site from state and local agencies.<\/p>\n
First responders at the scene of a shooting. KREM 2<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the\u00a0nearly 20-acre\u00a0brush fire has continued to rage on as authorities had been too busy responding to the shooting to fight the blaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to keep burning.\u00a0Can\u2019t put any resources on it right now,\u201d Norris said\u00a0before the suspected\u00a0gunman was found dead.<\/p>\n
Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area. KREM 2<\/p>\n
Shelter-in-place orders were issued for nearby residents. REUTERS<\/p>\n
Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area when shelter-in-place orders were issued for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas.<\/p>\n