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A sniper targeted firefighters responding to a blaze in US state of Idaho, leaving two dead and several injured. The governor called it “heinous direct assault” on firefighters.
Smoke rises from a fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (Photo: AP)
At least two people were killed after firefighters tackling a blaze were ambushed by unknown gunmen in the northwestern US state of Idaho. The incident happened on Sunday during an ongoing standoff, according to the local sheriff.
Later, an official release stated that one of the suspected shooters was neutralised, or found dead.
A blaze was still raging on the mountainside in Kootenai County, a popular park and hiking area, as law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the shooter or shooters, Sheriff Robert Norris told reporters.
“We now have two deaths. We have an unknown number of casualties. We still have civilians who are coming off that mountain. We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,” he said at a press conference.
Governor Brad Little said “multiple” firefighters were attacked.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Little wrote on his official X account.
“I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more,” he added.
Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle.
“I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralise, because they’re not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said.
Meanwhile, an advisory by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles (6.5 km) north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Norris said the fire was still active.
Later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said.
Serious gun violence is common across the United States, where many states have few barriers to the purchasing of firearms, despite widespread support for greater gun control, according to AFP.
There have been 189 mass shootings in the United States this year, defined by the organisation as incidents where at least four people are killed or injured, other than the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
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Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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