Fact Check: "Multiple firefighters were attacked by a sniper during a fire response."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, two firefighters were fatally shot while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, the firefighters were ambushed and were under "active sniper fire" from at least one shooter using a high-powered rifle (BBC, Washington Post). Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that the situation was ongoing and that they were unsure how many shooters were involved, stating, "We don’t know if there’s one, two, three, or four [shooters]" (ABC News).
Governor Brad Little described the incident as a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters" and urged the public to pray for the victims and their families (USA Today). The incident began around 2 PM local time when the firefighters reported being fired upon while they were still working to control the brush fire (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that multiple firefighters were attacked by a sniper during a fire response is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and local government officials have confirmed the details of the attack, describing it as an ambush on first responders. The use of the term "sniper fire" indicates that the attack was deliberate and targeted, rather than random gunfire (BBC, USA Today).
The sources reporting on this incident include major news outlets such as the BBC, Washington Post, and ABC News, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The information has been corroborated by law enforcement officials, including Sheriff Norris, who provided updates during a press conference (ABC News).
While the situation is still developing, the immediate reports from reliable sources confirm that the firefighters were indeed attacked during their response to the fire, and the nature of the attack has been described as a sniper assault, which aligns with the claim being fact-checked.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that multiple firefighters were attacked by a sniper during a fire response is true, as it is supported by multiple credible sources and official statements from law enforcement and government officials. The incident involved targeted gunfire against first responders, resulting in fatalities.
