Gunman started Idaho blaze and fatally shot 2 firefighters in ambush attack
BOISE, Idaho, June 30, (AP): A man armed with a rifle started a wildfire Sunday and then began shooting at first responders in a northern Idaho mountain community, killing two firefighters and wounding a third during a barrage of gunfire over several hours, authorities said. A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night after a tactical response team used cell phone data to "hone in' on a wooded area where they found the suspect's body with a firearm nearby as flames rapidly approached, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said.
Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of gun was found. "We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,' Norris said at a Sunday night news conference. "These firefighters did not have a chance.' Sheriff's officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30 pm, and gunshots were reported about a half hour later.
Investigators said the gunman acted alone. "We believe that was the only shooter that was on that mountain at that time,' Norris said. Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said. The wounded firefighter was "fighting for his life' after surgery and was in stable condition, Norris said.
The scene was sheer pandemonium as the brush fire burned and firefighters rushed to the scene only to come under heavy fire. First responders made urgent calls for help on their radios: "Everybody's shot up here ... send law enforcement now,' according to one dispatch. Gov Brad Little said "multiple' firefighting personnel were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
9 hours ago
- Arab Times
Gunman started Idaho blaze and fatally shot 2 firefighters in ambush attack
BOISE, Idaho, June 30, (AP): A man armed with a rifle started a wildfire Sunday and then began shooting at first responders in a northern Idaho mountain community, killing two firefighters and wounding a third during a barrage of gunfire over several hours, authorities said. A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night after a tactical response team used cell phone data to "hone in' on a wooded area where they found the suspect's body with a firearm nearby as flames rapidly approached, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of gun was found. "We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,' Norris said at a Sunday night news conference. "These firefighters did not have a chance.' Sheriff's officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30 pm, and gunshots were reported about a half hour later. Investigators said the gunman acted alone. "We believe that was the only shooter that was on that mountain at that time,' Norris said. Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said. The wounded firefighter was "fighting for his life' after surgery and was in stable condition, Norris said. The scene was sheer pandemonium as the brush fire burned and firefighters rushed to the scene only to come under heavy fire. First responders made urgent calls for help on their radios: "Everybody's shot up here ... send law enforcement now,' according to one dispatch. Gov Brad Little said "multiple' firefighting personnel were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Iran says at least 71 killed in Israel's attack on Tehran's notorious Evin prison
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 29, (AP): At least 71 people were killed in Israel's attack on Tehran's Evin prison, a notorious facility where many political prisoners and dissidents have been held, Iran's judiciary said on Sunday. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir posted on the office's official Mizan news agency website that those killed on Monday included staff, soldiers, prisoners, and members of visiting families. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. The June 23 attack, the day before the ceasefire between Israel and Iran took hold, hit several prison buildings and prompted concerns from rights groups about the safety of the inmates. It remains unclear why Israel targeted the prison, but it came on a day when the Defense Ministry said it was attacking "regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.' The news of the prison attack was quickly overshadowed by an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Qatar later that same day, which caused no casualties, and the announcement of the ceasefire. Jahangir did not break down the casualty figures but said the attack had hit the prison's infirmary, engineering building, judicial affairs, and visitation hall, where visiting family members were killed and injured. On the day of the attack, New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran criticized Israel for striking the prison, seen as a symbol of the Iranian regime's repression of any opposition, saying it violated the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets. At the same time, the group said Iran was legally obligated to protect the prisoners held in Evin, and slammed authorities in Tehran for their "failure to evacuate, provide medical assistance or inform families' following the attack. Jahangir said some of those injured were treated on site, while others were sent to hospitals. Iran had not previously announced any death figures, though on Saturday confirmed that top prosecutor Ali Ghanaatkar - whose prosecution of dissidents, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, led to widespread criticism by human rights groups - had been killed in the attack. He was one of about 60 people for whom a massive public funeral procession was held on Saturday in Tehran, and he was to be buried at a shrine in Qom on Sunday. Israel attacked Iran on June 13 in a bid to destroy the country's nuclear program. Over 12 days before a ceasefire was declared, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. In retaliation, Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Guyana to crack down on gold smuggled in from Venezuela at urging of US govt
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, June 29, (AP): Guyana has pledged to crack down on gold smuggled across the border from neighboring Venezuela at the urging of the US government. President Irfaan Ali said late Friday that the government of the South American country is dedicating "enormous resources' to thwart the smuggling, which has long been a problem. He said authorities have increased border patrols and improved monitoring in mining regions. Local officials have said they suspect that Venezuelan-sanctioned gold is being mixed with gold mined in Guyana and then passed off as local production and sold to markets in the US, Canada, the Middle East and elsewhere. In 2021, the Royal Canadian Mint suspended gold purchases from a major export company in Guyana because officials suspected some shipments had been mixed with Venezuelan gold, an allegation the company denied. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Guyana has suspended the visas of several miners suspected of smuggling Venezuelan gold overseas. Gold is Guyana's second most important export after oil, generating nearly $1 billion last year. Some 434,000 ounces of gold were produced last year, up from 432,000 ounces the previous year, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. It noted that up to 50% of local gold production is smuggled out of Guyana. US Ambassador Nicole Theriot on Friday praised Guyana's cooperation, noting that the countries have worked together to secure Guyana's border with Venezuela. Relations between the two South American neighbors remain tense given a bitter dispute over the Essequibo region, which Venezuela has long claimed as its own. It represents two-thirds of Guyana and is rich in gold, diamonds, timber and other natural resources. It also is located close to massive offshore oil deposits, with current production averaging some 650,000 barrels daily.
