U.S. authorities found the body of a lone gunman suspected of starting a wildfire on Sunday, then opening fire on firefighters battling the blaze in the northwestern state of Idaho, killing two.
The suspected shooter was discovered dead with a firearm on Canfield Mountain in Kootenai County — a popular park and hiking area — following an hours-long standoff as the fire continued to burn.
"Based on preliminary information, we believe that was the only shooter," Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said at a press conference Sunday evening, adding, "There is no threat to the community at this time."
Norris said officials believed the fire was "intentional," though he did not provide details about the suspect's identity.
"We do believe that the suspect started the fire and that it was an ambush, and it was intentional," he told reporters.
"These firefighters did not have a chance."
Approximately 300 law enforcement officers were deployed to the scene.
Two firefighters were shot and killed, while a third was wounded and taken to a hospital for surgery.
"He is fighting for his life, but he's in stable condition," Norris said.
The attack was carried out using high-powered rifles, the sheriff stated at an earlier press briefing.
Local TV footage showed thick white smoke rising above a hilly, forested area. Authorities warned Sunday evening that the wildfire remained active.
‘Heartbroken’
Local fire chief Pat Riley said he was "heartbroken" by the attack.
He told local TV station KHQ that no evacuations had been ordered, though the fire was still burning.
Asked whether there was concern about the fire spreading, he told KHQ, "Yes, there is. To what extent, I can't say, because we can't get people to where the fire's at."
Serious gun violence is a recurring issue in the United States, where many states have few restrictions on firearm purchases, despite broad public support for stricter gun control measures.
There have been 189 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot.
Idaho Governor Brad Little called the attack a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
In a social media post, he said he was "heartbroken" by the tragedy.
With AFP
Comments