A Dire Day Near Canfield Mountain
Northern Idaho was gripped by tragedy recently as two brave firefighters were killed in an active shooter incident near Canfield Mountain. The event unfolded with terrifying speed after emergency crews arrived at a fire scene, only to be met with gunfire. What followed was a desperate and chaotic scene, vividly captured in chilling audio recordings that have since circulated online, painting a grim picture of the ambush.
"Everybody's Shot Up Here": The Horrifying Audio Transcript
The circulating audio clip, posted by "Ready_Breaking" on social media, offers a harrowing glimpse into the moments following the attack. It contains urgent radio traffic where an officer confirms the presence of an active shooter. Phrases like "Central BC Central BC 5. Central BC 5. BC 5 off 6. Central. Law enforcement right now is an active shooter zone," set a chilling tone for the unfolding crisis.
Further into the recording, the sheer scale of the attack becomes horrifyingly clear. Commanders, identified as BC1 and BC3, were among those shot. The frantic calls for immediate police backup—"They're shot. BC3's down. BC1's down. Everybody's shot up here. Law enforcement, code three now. Up here, 551. 10 or 14 up here. Stop. Get out of the way. 10 or 14, engine brush. 551, do not come up here. 551 copies remaining staging,"—underscores the extreme danger faced by the first responders. These words paint a vivid image of the chaos and the desperate struggle to survive amidst the gunfire.
An Ongoing Hunt and a Community in Mourning
The incident occurred around 1:30 PM local time when emergency crews reached the fire scene, with gunshots being reported approximately 30 minutes later. As of the latest reports, a massive police operation is still underway to track down the shooter, who remained at large in the area for hours following the attack. Authorities have continuously urged caution, describing the situation as “dire and dangerous.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little immediately condemned the attack, calling it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), he urged all Idahoans to "pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.” Officials in neighboring Shoshone County also echoed the sentiment, confirming the active shooter situation and emphasizing that the perpetrator was “still at large.”
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the immense risks faced by emergency responders who bravely step into dangerous situations to protect communities. The incident near Canfield Mountain highlights not only the immediate danger but also the profound impact such acts of violence have on the lives of those dedicated to public service and the communities they serve.