By Euronews with AP
Printed on •Up to date
Two firefighters have been fatally shot within the US on Sunday after they have been ambushed by sniper hearth whereas responding to a blaze in Idaho attributable to the shooter, authorities have mentioned.
A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night time after a tactical response group used mobile phone knowledge to “hone in” on a wooded space the place they discovered the suspect’s physique with a firearm close by as flames quickly approached, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris mentioned.
Officers didn’t launch his identify, nor did they are saying what sort of gun was discovered.
“We do imagine that the suspect began the hearth, and we do imagine that it was an ambush and it was intentional,” Norris mentioned at a Sunday night time information convention. “These firefighters didn’t have an opportunity.”
Sheriff’s officers mentioned crews responded to a fireplace at Canfield Mountain simply north of Coeur d’Alene round 1:30 pm, and gunshots have been reported a couple of half hour later.
Investigators mentioned the gunman acted alone.
“We imagine that was the one shooter that was on that mountain at the moment,” Norris mentioned.
Three victims have been dropped at Kootenai Well being, mentioned hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two have been lifeless on arrival and the third was being handled for accidents, Anderson mentioned. The wounded firefighter was “combating for his life” after surgical procedure and was in secure situation, Norris mentioned.
The scene was sheer pandemonium as the comb hearth burned and firefighters rushed to the scene solely to return beneath heavy hearth.
First responders made pressing requires assistance on their radios: “Everyone’s shot up right here … ship regulation enforcement now,” in line with one dispatch.
Governor Brad Little mentioned “a number of” firefighting personnel have been attacked.
“It is a heinous direct assault on our courageous firefighters,” Little mentioned on X. “I ask all Idahoans to hope for them and their households as we wait to study extra.”
Norris mentioned it appeared the sniper was hiding within the rugged terrain and utilizing a high-powered rifle. He mentioned he instructed deputies to fireplace again.
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