Gunfire erupts while battling US forest fire: Fatalities reported
Shooting at firefighters and police in Idaho (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In the US state of Idaho, during efforts to extinguish a forest fire, an unknown person opened fire with a rifle on firefighters, resulting in two deaths, according to the BBC.
Police report that the shooter set up an ambush near the city of Coeur d'Alene. It is possible that he did not act alone.
Law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene returned fire, leading to a shootout. Residents have been urged to avoid the area near Kenfield Mountain.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reported that FBI agents were involved in the operation to provide tactical and operational support to the police.
“This is 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,” said Governor Brad Little.
Updated at 6:10 a.m. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that after a prolonged shootout on Kenfield Mountain, the body of a man was found. A firearm was lying on the ground near him.
Other shooting incidents in the US
In June, a shooting occurred in Minnesota that resulted in the death of Minnesota House Representative Melissa Gorman. Senator John Goffman and his wife were also injured in the incident.
Less than a month earlier, near the Jewish Museum in Washington, located close to the FBI office, two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed.
