At least two first responders were killed and numerous others were injured after they responded to a fire in Idaho and were shot at, in what authorities have described as an ambush.
An unknown number of assailants allegedly set the blaze as bait for the first responders in Coeur d’Alene and began firing as they arrived on the scene at around 2pm, authorities said at a news conference Sunday night.
The suspects, who are believed to have been using a high-powered rifle, were still firing at the time.
‘We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,’ Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris announced. ‘We’re taking rapid fire.’
He added that authorities are trying to take the suspect into custody, but noted that the heavy brush is making it difficult to apprehend him.
Norris then gave police the authority to shoot to kill if they are given the opportunity, as authorities worry about the civilians who may still be stuck on Canfield Mountain.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little confirmed the tragedy in a post on social media, calling it 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,’ he said, adding that he and his wife are ‘heartbroken’ by the news.
Residents are now being asked to avoid the area surrounding Canfield Mountain, with Riley noting that fire crews were forced to pull back and the brush fire remains an active threat.
Kootenai County Emergency Management also urged those who are in the area to shelter in place.
Meanwhile, authorities from Spokane, Washington are heading south to provide assistance in what they described on social media as an ‘active, ongoing incident’ on East Nettleton Gulch Road.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also confirmed on social media that assets are heading to the scene to provide ‘tactical and operational support.’
Additionally, law enforcement agents and medical professionals are on standby at Kootenai Health.
Police officers and firefighters who responded to the scene of a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho were reportedly shot at
It is believed a shooter set a fire intentionally to draw first responders to the scene
In harrowing radio traffic posted online, one firefighter could be heard screaming, ‘Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone.’
He could later be heard warning his fellow firefighters, ‘Stop. Do not come up here.’
The shooting prompted the evacuation of the Fernan Gun Club, whose members were told there was a sniper in the area, the Coeur d’Alene Press reports.
‘My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken,’ Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley told KHQ.
‘We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community.’
The number of officers and firefighters who were injured in the attack remains unclear. Local reports indicate Life Flight helicopters have been deployed to the scene.
Photos and videos posted online show a large police presence in the city.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .