Idaho Sheriff Says, 'We Are Actively Taking Sniper Fire' on Canfield Mountain
The magnitude of the tragedy unfolding on Idaho's Canfield Mountain is still unclear, and the situation is an active one.
In fact, the Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said in a news conference on the evening of June 29 that first responders were taking active fire as he spoke.
He described law enforcement taking "rapid fire."
"We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak," Norris said in the news conference, providing the few details that are clear.
He said in the news conference that firefighters were shot after responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in Idaho on June 29. Two people are dead, and they are believed to be firefighters.
The number of dead is not clear, Norris said.
In fact, he said in the first news conference that it's not even clear yet whether there is only one suspect. He indicated that there might be as many as four, but authorities just don't know. The motive is not clear, either.
According to Norris, authorities are trying to "neutralize" the suspect, and he also indicated that there might be civilians who are stuck on the mountain.
"Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken," Gov. Brad Little wrote on Facebook.
Northern Lakes Fire Protection Chief Pat Riley told the Spokesman-Review that the firefighters were attacked by an “ambush-style active shooter.”
“Gut-wrenching news coming from Coeur d’Alene,” Rep. Mike Simpson posted on X. “As the situation develops, our thoughts and prayers are with the brave firefighters and all first responders on the scene.”
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino wrote on X, "FBI assets are headed to the scene in Coeur d’Alene to provide tactical and operational support. It is an active scene."
Related: Idaho Firefighters Shot in 'Heinous' Ambush by Active Shooter