2 dead after firefighters are ambushed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: Live Updates

Two of today’s shooting victims died before they reached a hospital, said a spokesperson for the Kootenai Health campus in Coeur d’Alene.

It’s not clear whether the patients the hospital spokesperson was referring to are the ones Sheriff Bob Norris said earlier had died.

A third victim taken to the facility was being treated for injuries, the spokesperson said.

Kootenai Health runs a Level 2 trauma center capable of comprehensive care, making it one of the highest-level trauma centers in the region.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the shooting in Coeur d’Alene this afternoon, including special agents, certified fire investigators and a K-9 handler, a spokesperson from the agency said.

The spokesperson said the scene is still very active.

The personnel are from the agency’s Portland, Oregon; Spokane; and Seattle offices. The spokesperson also said the agency is in touch with its regional agent in charge in the command post.

No further updates were provided.

The fire that drew first responders to Canfield Mountain was no accident, officials from Idaho’s Northern Lakes Fire District said.

Firefighters responded to an intentionally set fire before being shot at, they said, adding that “ambush” accurately describes what happened to those first at the scene.

A federal official who asked not to be identified echoed preliminary indications that it was an ambush-style attack.

Calls from the first responders who went to put out the fire near Coeur d’Alene show urgency and fear during the early moments of the shooting.

“Two battalion chiefs down, two officers injured,” a first responder said over the radio, according to a Broadcastify recording.

“I have no idea where the shooters [are] at or where they’re going, in which direction. I would recommend that our units, all of our firing units, escape further down the pavement towards town, maybe a half a mile or so to a safe staging area,” a voice on the first responder radio said.

Officials have not confirmed the total number of people injured or whether they’ve been able to evacuate everyone from the area.

“We’re going to need multiple ambulances for ALS care,” the speaker continued. “As soon as we can get law enforcement in here to get these people out, I recommend we get no less than five, five ambulances staged at the bottom. I don’t care where we get them from.”

The two people who died in the Coeur d’Alene shooting are firefighters, said Edward Kelly, the president of the International Association of Firefighters.

A third firefighter is in surgery, Kelly said. “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery,” he wrote on X.

The condition of the third firefighter and the nature of his injuries were not immediately clear.

Kelly said the firefighters were “ambushed in a heinous act of violence.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi offered prayers tonight as law enforcement, including federal officers, responded to the shooting.

“We are praying for all,” Bondi said on X.

Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, said on X that “tactical assets” were at the “very dangerous scene” and providing support.

FBI Director Kash Patel reposted an earlier message from Bongino.

Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans, posted on X about today’s shooting.

“I am monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d’Alene this evening,” Crapo said. “I urge local residents to follow recommendations of law enforcement.”

Both said they are praying for those affected.

Risch said he and his wife, Vicki, are monitoring developments. “We pray for the safety of our brave first responders,” he said.

Video from near where the Canfield Mountain shooting broke out this afternoon shows at least two police vehicles speeding down the street, apparently on their way to respond to the event.

Life Flight Network, an air transportation firm specializing in emergency medical flights, said it sent three helicopters to the area of the shooting but has not taken anyone to medical facilities.

“Life Flight Network has sent three helicopters to the area at the request of local law enforcement,” spokesperson Natalie Hannah said by email.

The aircraft are based in Spokane, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho, she said.

“No patients have been transported yet but our teams remain at the ready to respond at the request of incident command,” Hannah said.

It’s possible it may be too dangerous to land and transport potential patients. Gunfire continues, according to Norris, the sheriff.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little condemned today’s shooting on Canfield Mountain, which he called a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”

He said on X that he and his wife are heartbroken and called on the people of Idaho to pray for the victims and their families.

The shooting started after firefighters responded to Canfield Mountain for reports of a fire.

Because officials are using so many of their resources on shooting victims and to try to neutralize the shooter or shooters, the fire cannot be put out, Norris said.

The fire, which has been named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, is less than an acre large, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.

Meanwhile, a heat advisory will be in effect for the area starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. Temperatures could be as high as 104 degrees.

Sheriff Robert Norris said he’s receiving help from federal and local agencies.

FBI spokeswoman Sandra Barker said the bureau has agents assigned to the situation. “I can confirm we’re assisting,” she said by email.

At least one agent from the U.S. Marshals Service was also observed at the scene, carrying a long gun.

Law enforcement was taking fire on Canfield Mountain this afternoon, hoping for an opening to take down the shooter or shooters, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said.

“This is a very, very fresh situation,” he said. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”

He said whoever’s shooting is using “high-powered” long guns, and he indicated there’s no easy solution for law enforcement. In addition, he said, it’s not clear whether they’re facing one shooter or more.

“I’m hoping that someone has a clear shot and is able to neutralize the threat,” Norris said at a news conference.

Norris said civilians are still coming off of the mountain as officials try to clear it.

Sheriff’s officers are taking active sniper fire, Norris said. The shots are coming from multiple locations. No officers have been hit.

He said the situation is both active and “very, very fresh.”

Officials are “prepared to neutralize the suspect who is currently actively shooting,” Norris said.