Kotenai - Saba:
Two firefighters were killed in the US state of Idaho on Monday as a result of gunfire while fighting a fire in the north of the state.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris explained in a press conference that security forces are still facing sniper fire, while combing the area near the city of Coeur d'Alene continues. It has not yet been confirmed whether the attack was carried out by one or more individuals.
Norris said, "Our teams are prepared to neutralize the suspect, who continues to fire on public safety personnel," noting that some civilians may have been injured in the attack.
He added, "We have two fatalities and an unknown number of injuries. We are under heavy fire at this time." He explained that the attacker "showed no intention of surrendering," urging anyone with a critical opportunity to "neutralize the threat" to shoot him.
ABC News reported that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is monitoring the developments of the incident, while Governor Brad Little described the incident as a "heinous attack on our brave firefighters," urging residents to pray for the victims and their families.
Little wrote on Twitter, "As the situation continues to evolve, I ask everyone to please stay away from the scene to allow security and fire crews to do their jobs.
Shootings are common in the United States, amid the lack of strict gun control restrictions in many states. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 189 mass shootings in the country since the beginning of the year, which the organization defines as an attack in which at least four people, not including the shooter, are killed or injured.
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