Idaho firefighters shooting: 2 killed, 1 hurt in mountainside ambush

Firefighters ambushed by shooter, 2 deaths confirmed

Authorities say a suspect shot at firefighters responding to fire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the sheriff said two people were killed and police were still "taking sniper fire" Sunday afternoon.

Authorities in Idaho said at least two people were killed and one was hurt Sunday in an active shooter situation that involved firefighters responding to a fire in Coeur d’Alene, a city in the northern part of the state. 

Idaho firefighters attacked

What we know:

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris held a press conference around 4:30 p.m. local time confirming the deaths of two people, and said that police were still taking rapid sniper fire and were prepared to "neutralize" the suspect as quickly as possible. 

He said it appeared the shooter was using a modern-day sporting rifle. "It appears high-powered rifles are being used," he said.

Later, a spokesperson for the local hospital told The Associated Press that a firefighter was being treated for injuries.

Just before 8 p.m. local time, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said members of the SWAT team found a deceased man on the mountain side with a gun nearby. The office lifted the shelter in place for residents nearby. 

What we don't know:

It’s unknown if the deceased were firefighters, suspects, other first responders or civilians. It’s also unclear how many others were hurt, if any.

Authorities haven’t released information about the suspected sniper. 

FILE - A stock image of flashing lights on a fire truck. Getty Images

Coeur d’Alene fire

Big picture view:

Norris said firefighters got the initial report of a fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain around 1:20 p.m. local time. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails.

He said around 40 minutes later, they had reports that firefighters were being shot at.

He said the fire is still burning because they’ve been unable to put more resources into it due to the sniper threat.

What they're saying:

"We have an unknown amount of casualties," Norris said at the press conference. "We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain. We might have civilians that are stuck or in shock on that mountain, so this is a very, very fresh situation."

Idaho’s governor, Brad Little, posted on social media about the attack, calling it a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."

What's next:

Norris said the sheriff’s office was holding a press briefing at 9:30 p.m. local time.