LOS ANGELES: At the least two individuals have been killed on Sunday (Jun 29) when firefighters tackling a blaze have been ambushed by an unknown variety of gunmen in an ongoing standoff within the northwestern United States state of Idaho, the native sheriff stated.
A blaze was nonetheless raging on the mountainside in Kootenai County, a well-liked park and mountaineering space, as legislation enforcement exchanged gunfire with the shooter or shooters, Sheriff Robert Norris informed reporters.
“We now have two deaths. We now have an unknown quantity of casualties. We nonetheless have civilians which might be coming off that mountain …. We’re actively taking sniper fireplace as we converse,” he stated at a press convention.
The assault was carried out with high-powered rifles, the sheriff stated, stressing that the purpose of legislation enforcement was to trace the assailant or assailants down and shoot on sight.
The shooter confirmed “no proof of eager to give up”, he continued, including: “As quickly as anyone has a transparent shot, I encourage them to take that shot to neutralise the menace”.
He stated authorities believed the 2 individuals who have been killed have been firemen.
Norris stated authorities didn’t consider the suspects have been barricaded inside a constructing, however have been in “heavy brush” and have been “mixing in with their environment”.
They have been “well-prepared”, he added, saying authorities didn’t know if there was “one, two, three or 4” shooters.
The deputy director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, described it as “an energetic scene” and stated the bureau was sending personnel “to supply tactical and operational assist”.
Footage from the TV station and a photograph revealed by NBC confirmed dense white smoke billowing above a hilly, forested space.
