Suspected Gunman Found Dead Near Firearm After Fatal Ambush of 2 Idaho Firefighters: Reports

A man who allegedly shot at firefighters who were responding to a wildfire in Idaho has been found dead. 

At around 3:16 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 29, authorities tracked a cell phone to a spot on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, located about 30 miles from Spokane, Wash., where they found a man dead near a firm arm, NBC News and CNN reported, citing Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris. 

The discovery came after around 300 law enforcement officers rushed to assist firefighters, who were under threat from the gunman. At around 1:30 p.m., the firefighters had received reports of a brush fire on Canfield Mountain. After responding to the call, they allegedly became the targets of a shooter at around 2 p.m., according to the outlets.

Two firefighters were fatally shot, while a third victim was rushed to Coeur d’Alene hospital after being injured. “He is fighting for his life, but he’s in stable condition,” Norris said of the third firefighter, per CNN.

Investigators believe the shooter deliberately set the wildfire to “ambush” first responders, according to the outlet. Approximately 20 acres of Canfield Mountain were scorched amid the blaze, while firefighters’ efforts to contain it were halted by the exchange of gunfire.

“We do believe he started it and it was totally intentional what he did,” Sheriff Norris said of the suspected gunman, according to CNN.

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A shelter that was put in place for those nearby was lifted after members of a SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactics Team) found the alleged gunman, the BBC reported. Authorities believe he acted alone, however, they are unsure if the 911 call that initially reported the fire came from him.

“You can expect some of these things to occur in an urban setting, but in a rural setting?” Sheriff Norris said, per BBC. “This is very, very, very rare.”

Kootenai County Emergency Management said on Facebook that despite the suspected gunman being found, residents in the area should remain “prepared” as further action may be necessary amid the ongoing active wildfire.

Norris confirmed in a press conference that the coroner’s office will be investigating the circumstances of the gunman’s death, as at this time, authorities are unsure if he took his own life, per ABC7.

Information about the weapon that was found alongside him is also not being disclosed as the investigation continues.

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Governor of Idaho, Brad Little, wrote an X post urging people to avoid the area following the incident.

“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” Little wrote. “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. Teresa and I are heartbroken. 

“As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs,” he added.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on June 30.