What to know about the shooting that killed 2 Idaho firefighters
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Two Idaho firefighters were killed and another was critically injured in a shooting while responding to a fire near Coeur d'Alene in the state's north on Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The big picture: Officials have now identified both the veteran firefighters who were shot and the suspect, who was found dead near a firearm at the scene of the attack on Canfield Mountain, but they did not immediately determine a motive for the shooting.
- Investigators believe the suspect, named as 20-year-old Wess Roley, started the fire near Coeur d'Alene to "ambush" the firefighters.
- Coeur d'Alene, with a population of about 58,000, is located in northwest Idaho, near the state's border with Washington.
Here's what we know about the attack.
What are local authorities saying about the attack?
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue firefighters were responding to the mountain blaze when "shots were fired" about 2pm local time, per a statement posted on the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office website.
- The statement urged people to avoid the area and follow shelter-in-place alerts, which were lifted on Sunday night after the suspect's body was found dead.
- At the time law enforcement arrived to the site, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris initially said it was unclear how many people were shooting but that officers were "actively taking sniper fire" from what appeared to be high-powered rifles.
- Norris said at a briefing late Sunday that investigators believed just one individual was firing at officers and firefighters.
- Around 300 law enforcement officers responded to the scene, per Norris.
What do we know about the victims?
The firefighters killed in the "ambush" were named on Monday as Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52.
- Officials named the injured firefighter as Coeur d'Alene Fire Department engineer David Tysdal, 47, and said Monday he had undergone surgery in the hospital.
Is the fire still burning?
Situation report: The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office cautioned in a Sunday night statement that the fire was still active and residents should be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken.
- The blaze, which authorities dubbed the Nettleton Gulch Fire, was held at 26 acres and there were no evacuations nor were any structures at risk as of Monday evening, per an Idaho Department of Lands Facebook post.
- The fire was "burning through steep terrain in timber fuels" and crews were facing "an abundance of snags on site, as well as the possibility of rolling logs and falling rocks," per the post.
- A temporary flight restriction was in effect over the Canfield Mountain area as a precautionary measure.
How are federal authorities assisting?
Zoom out: FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said on X that agents were heading to Coeur d'Alene to "provide tactical and operational support."
- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X that the agency was "actively monitoring the scene" and vowed, "Justice will be served."
More from Axios:
- Firefighters shot in Idaho ambush identified
- What we know about Wess Roley, the Idaho fire shooting suspect
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
