active shooter coeur d’alene idaho: On June 29, 2025, a devastating active shooter incident unfolded in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, targeting firefighters responding to a brush fire near Canfield Mountain. The tragic event, described by authorities as a calculated ambush, resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and injuries to several others, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
active shooter coeur d’alene idaho, As law enforcement and federal agencies work to piece together the motive and circumstances, residents are grappling with the aftermath of this unprecedented attack.
Incident Details: A Deliberate Trap
The incident began around 1:21 p.m. on Sunday when firefighters from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department were dispatched to a half-acre brush fire in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area, a popular 24-acre park known for its hiking trails and dense tree cover. Within minutes of their arrival, gunfire erupted, with reports indicating that the fire may have been intentionally set to lure first responders to the scene.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that at least one shooter, armed with high-powered rifles, opened fire on the firefighters. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,” Norris stated during a press briefing, noting that bullets were coming from multiple directions, complicating efforts to neutralize the threat. The chaotic scene was captured in chilling audio from Kootenai County Fire and EMS, where a firefighter urgently called for law enforcement, stating, “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in. Everybody’s shot up here.”
Casualties and Response
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) confirmed that two Coeur d’Alene firefighters were fatally shot, with a third undergoing surgery. Several others, including law enforcement officers, sustained injuries, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear. The attack prompted a massive response from multiple agencies, including the FBI, Spokane County authorities, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which deployed a helicopter to the scene.
Sheriff Norris reported that the shooter or shooters continued to engage law enforcement with “modern day sporting rifles,” creating a dangerous standoff. The Kootenai County Emergency Management Office issued a shelter-in-place order for residents near Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, approximately 4 miles north of downtown Coeur d’Alene. The order was later lifted after authorities located a deceased individual with a firearm nearby, believed to be the suspected gunman.
Community and Official Reactions
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In a statement posted on X, he expressed heartbreak and urged residents to pray for the victims and their families while avoiding the area to allow law enforcement to operate. Idaho lawmakers, including Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Heather Scott, echoed these sentiments, calling the incident a “dark day for North Idaho.”
Local residents expressed disbelief and fear. Linda Tiger, an 80-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident, told reporters, “This has never happened here. It shows that no one is safe from this kind of mental sadness.” Social media posts reflected similar sentiments, with some residents speculating about the involvement of a missing former soldier, though authorities have found no evidence to support these claims.
Ongoing Investigation and Wildfire Threat
The FBI has deployed tactical and operational support to assist in the investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities are exploring whether the shooter acted alone or with accomplices, as initial reports suggested multiple sources of gunfire. The Canfield Mountain wildfire, exacerbated by the inability to deploy firefighting resources due to the active shooter threat, continues to burn, posing a risk to nearby residents. Kootenai County Emergency Management urged locals to remain vigilant in case the situation escalates.
Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District described the incident as heartbreaking, emphasizing the bravery of the responders. “My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken,” Riley said, noting the coordinated efforts of multiple jurisdictions to address the crisis.
A Community in Mourning
Coeur d’Alene, a city of approximately 55,000 residents near the Washington state border, is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The Canfield Mountain area, with its rugged terrain and dense vegetation, has complicated law enforcement’s efforts to secure the scene. As the community mourns the loss of two heroic firefighters, questions linger about the motive behind this calculated attack.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the safety of first responders and the increasing prevalence of targeted violence. For now, Coeur d’Alene residents are left to process the tragedy while authorities work to ensure justice and safety.
Stay updated with the latest news on this developing story as more details emerge.
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