Police have identified the suspected shooter who killed two firefighters in the U.S. state of Idaho over the weekend.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man, is believed to have died by suicide at the scene.
He also injured a third firefighter who remains in hospital.
Police are calling the incident a “total ambush,” and say they believe the suspected shooter deliberately lit a fire.
Details
Police said firefighters responded to a call reporting a fire at Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and mountain biking area covered in dense scrub on the eastern outskirts of the city of Coeur d’Alene, at approximately 1pm (local time).
Shortly afterwards, firefighters reported being shot at, with some taking cover behind their trucks.
Police said witnesses reported the shooter was in a tree.
In a press statement, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said: “We do know that [the shooter] did contact the firefighters when they came on scene and there was a discussion.”
More than 300 law enforcement officials responded, eventually using phone data to pinpoint the body after a gunfight lasting several hours.
Norris told reporters the fire had been lit deliberately by the shooter using a flint striker.
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“These firefighters did not have a chance,” he added.
The shooter
The shooter was identified as a 20-year-old man.
In a press conference, Sheriff Norris confirmed local law enforcement had had five “very, very minor” interactions with the suspect.
He also added that the suspect did not have any criminal history, and seemed to be living in his vehicle.
Response
The bodies of the firefighters arrived in Spokane, Washington, late on Sunday evening, accompanied by a procession of fire department and law enforcement vehicles.
Firefighters and others were seen saluting the procession.
In a post to X, Idaho Governor Brad Little said: “This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
On Monday, he ordered flags to be lowered to half staff to honor the firefighters who died, starting from Monday until the day after their memorial service.
State Idaho Republican politicians posted a statement on X, saying: “We are horrified by the murder of our two firefighters… and shocked by such a vicious attack… We are praying for them”.
