COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — The suspected gunman responsible for ambushing firefighters responding to a brush fire near Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho has been found dead, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect was discovered deceased on a hillside with a firearm nearby, marking the end of a tense multi-hour standoff.
The shooting erupted around 2 p.m. on June 29 when firefighters responding to reports of a wildfire were met with sniper fire from a shooter concealed among heavy brush. The crew attempted to suppress the blaze but were forced to retreat under sustained gunfire.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that two firefighters were killed during the ambush and a third was wounded. A shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents and lifted only after the suspect was located and confirmed deceased.
Authorities, including FBI tactical teams, are now on-site probing the motive behind the attack and whether additional suspects were involved.
Idaho Governor Brad Little called the incident a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” urging the public to respect law enforcement’s ongoing investigation
