Crime
UPDATE: Suspect found deceased on Canfield Mountain with firearm nearby
At least 2 firefighters dead, several wounded, Gunman still shooting
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A suspected gunman has been found dead near a firearm on Canfield Mountain, following an hours-long active shooter situation that left two firefighters dead, another critically injured, and multiple agencies scrambling to contain both the violence and a still-active wildfire.
According to officials, the shelter-in-place order has now been lifted, though law enforcement continues to secure the area and assess whether additional suspects may be involved. The wildfire, which first drew firefighters to the scene, remains active and uncontained.
Timeline of Events
- At 1:21 p.m., fire crews were dispatched to a reported brush fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain, near Coeur d’Alene.
- By 2:00 p.m., emergency radio traffic confirmed that firefighters were under sniper fire upon arrival.
- Two members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) were killed in what authorities have called a deliberate and calculated ambush. A third firefighter remains in surgery.
- The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office declared a mass casualty incident, activating multiple law enforcement agencies and aerial support units.
Sheriff Bob Norris described the scene as one of the most dangerous law enforcement has encountered in recent history.
At one point during the standoff, officers reported “actively taking sniper fire” from elevated terrain on the mountain.
Sheriff Norris confirmed the suspect was using a high-powered, modern sporting rifle, and noted that additional shooters had not been ruled out.
“This was a heinous act of violence against first responders who were trying to protect our community,” said Sheriff Norris. “We are grieving alongside their families.”
In an extraordinary and urgent appeal during the incident, Norris publicly encouraged any armed residents with a clear line of sight to “neutralize the threat”, stating:
“At this point in time, they are showing no signs of surrender. So as soon as someone has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot and neutralize the threat.”
When asked if gunfire was coming from more than one location, the sheriff responded:
“Yes. Oh, yeah. That’s what the officers and deputies are reporting up on the mountain right now.”
As of late afternoon, law enforcement reported the discovery of a deceased individual near a firearm, believed to be the suspected shooter.
Authorities are working to confirm the person’s identity and role in the attack. The presence of other possible suspects has not been definitively ruled out.
- Two Spokane County Sheriff helicopters assisted in the search and containment effort.
- Medical helicopters were used to evacuate the wounded.
- Fire crews remain on standby as the wildfire continues to pose a threat to surrounding areas, especially after initial teams were forced to withdraw under gunfire.
A press conference is expected within the next several hours, where officials will provide further updates on the suspect, the victims, and the scope of the investigation.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the Canfield Mountain area and to report any suspicious activity.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, along with state and federal partners, is leading the investigation into what has now become one of Idaho’s most tragic and complex public safety incidents in recent memory.
This is a developing story.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.