LOS ANGELES, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US authorities found the body of a lone gunman suspected of starting a wildfire on Sunday, then shooting at firefighters tackling the blaze in the northwestern state of Idaho, killing two.
The suspected shooter was found dead with a firearm on Canfield Mountain in Kootenai County – a popular park and hiking area – following an hours-long standoff as the fire raged.
“Based on preliminary information, we believe that was the only shooter,” Kootenai County’s Sheriff Robert Norris told a news conference on Sunday evening, adding, “there is no threat to the community at this time.”
Norris said authorities believed the fire was “intentional”, without providing details on the shooter’s identity.
“We do believe that the suspect started the fire and that it was an ambush, and it was intentional,” he told reporters.
Two firefighters were shot dead, while a third was wounded and taken to the hospital for surgery.
“He is fighting for his life, but he’s in stable condition,” Norris said.
The attack was carried out with high-powered rifles, the sheriff told an earlier news conference.
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.
There have been 189 mass shootings in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive – which it defines as four or more people shot. — NNN-AGENCIES
