• Two firefighters killed and one critically injured in an ambush near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
• The shooter, identified as Wess Roley, reportedly set the fire to lure first responders.
• Law enforcement engaged in an active shooter situation, with shots fired at firefighters responding to the blaze.

On Sunday afternoon, June 29, a gunman launched an attack on firefighters responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and critical injuries to a third. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident unfolded after initial reports of a fire at approximately 1:21 PM, with firefighters arriving on the scene at around 1:30 PM when gunfire erupted about 30 minutes later. "These firefighters did not have a chance," said Sheriff Bob Norris, who confirmed the ambush was intentional, with the suspect believed to have used a high-powered rifle while taking cover in the rugged terrain, according to NPR, Los Angeles Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Authorities quickly issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents while they engaged in an active sniper situation. Sheriff Norris confirmed that substantial law enforcement resources, including state police and the FBI, were deployed to apprehend the shooter. He mentioned that the scene was chaotic, with firefighters urgently calling for assistance and potentially more victims stranded in the area due to the smoke and gunfire. Reports indicated that two firefighters were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital, while a third remained in critical condition following surgery, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

After several hours of searching, law enforcement teams identified a cellphone signal that led them to the body of the suspected shooter, Wess Roley. His identity was confirmed as the situation reached its conclusion late that evening, with the sheriff stating that the investigation revealed Roley had likely acted alone and intentionally set the fire to lure firefighters into an ambush. The motives, however, remain unclear, as no definitive reasons have been released, according to HuffPost and Al Jazeera.

Governor Brad Little expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen firefighters. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," he stated on social media. As the investigation continues, officials have since lifted the shelter-in-place order while monitoring the ongoing wildfire situation, which has now burned approximately 26 acres. No evacuations have been mandated as the area remains secure, as reported by ABC News and CBS News.