US: Two firefighters killed in Idaho shooting, at least one gunman still active

KOOTENAI: Two firefighters were shot dead while responding to a fire in northern Idaho and law enforcement officers were still taking sniper fire as they hunted for one or possible more gunmen, the Kootenai County Sheriff said on Sunday.

Sheriff Bob Norris urged people to stay clear of the area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers near Coeur d’Alene, about 420 km east of Seattle.

Read more: Nightmarish smile: Japanese scientists make robot with living skin

“We are prepared to neutralise this suspect who is currently actively shooting at public safety personnel,” Norris told a press conference, adding that some civilians may have been caught up in the incident and could be trapped.

The sheriff said the shooter or shooters were using high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders, and “are not, at this time, showing any evidence of wanting to surrender.”

Shots were coming from multiple directions, he said, a strong indication there were multiple shooters involved.

The perpetrators were in a spot “with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings,” he added

“If these individuals are not neutralised quickly, this is going to be likely a multi-day operation,” Norris said.

Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been briefed on the Idaho shooting, ABC News reported.

Video footage from the scene showed smoke billowing from heavily wooded hillsides and armed responders preparing, while several ambulances and emergency vehicles were seen entering a nearby hospital.

“FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support,” FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. “It remains an active, and very dangerous scene.”

Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21 p.m. local time, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later, reports emerged that they were being shot at.

“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Idaho Governor Brad Little said on X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

Little did not give further details on any casualties or how the incident unfolded.

“As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs,” Little added.

Read more: Islamic year 1447 begins in Pakistan as Muharram moon sighted

Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the country’s Constitution protects the rights of Americans to “keep and bear arms.”

Deaths related to gun violence are common – 17,927 people were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the US, according to the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.