'Total ambush': Gunman attacks Idaho firefighters responding to wildfire



Idaho firefighters were dispatched around 1:21 p.m. Sunday after receiving a call about a brush fire in the woods on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene; roughly 40 minutes later, first responders reported coming under gunfire.

'These firefighters did not have a chance.'

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris initially announced that first responders were "actively taking sniper fire," and he added that "we don't know if there's one, two, three, or four [shooters]."

First responders made urgent calls for help on their radios, the Associated Press reported: “Everybody’s shot up here ... send law enforcement now."

More than 300 law enforcement officers and the FBI responded to the scene, the New York Times reported.

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  Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images

Two firefighters were shot and killed; a third firefighter was wounded.

Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle, the AP reported, adding that the sheriff said he instructed deputies to fire back.

Authorities later discovered the body of the suspected gunman with a weapon nearby. They moved the body as the fire spread. It wasn't clear how the alleged male gunman died.

Authorities believe the gunman intentionally set the fire in order to lure firefighters to the scene.

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Norris described the attack as a "total ambush."

"These firefighters did not have a chance," he added.

Norris indicated the suspected gunman acted alone, and his identity has not been released. Law enforcement declined to say what kind of weapon they found with the suspected gunman.

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  Photo by Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

One fatally shot firefighter was from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department; the other was with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. The firefighter who survived the shooting was "fighting for his life" after surgery, Norris said, but was in stable condition.

The AP said in the evening the bodies of the slain firefighters arrived in the nearby city of Spokane, Washington — and escorted by a procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles. The outlet added that firefighters and others saluted as the vehicles passed by.

Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) wrote in a post on X, "Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken."

RELATED: Leftist mayor ignores deep-red state law, flies racial LGBTQ flag

  

"As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs," he added.

Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on social media, "Thank you to our incredible @FBI agents on the ground assisting local authorities in Idaho. We are praying for all."

A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night, the AP said.

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Federalist CEO: Lead Sniper ‘Never Set Foot’ In Building Trump Was Shot From Due To ‘Paperwork’

The lead Secret Service sniper at former President Donald Trump’s near-fatal rally in Butler, Pennsylvania “never set foot on or in” the building from which a would-be assassin shot the now-incoming president in the head, The Federalist’s CEO Sean Davis said in a Friday interview with Tucker Carlson.  “He has four days on site, puts […]

Media More Worked Up About Trump’s Assassination Joke Than The Actual Attempt On His Life

Trump mentioned the press as he assessed his security glass at his rally in Pennsylvania.

Alexander Vindman tries to outdo his wife's ghoulish response to the latest attempt on Trump's life



Kamala Harris booster Alexander Vindman and his wife seized upon the second attempted assassination of President Donald Trump as another opportunity to attack the Republican. Their latest salvos did not go over well online.

Vindman served as the star witness in the impeachment inquiry regarding President Donald Trump's July 25, 2019, phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the years since, the Ukrainian-born former White House official has leaned hard into his new career criticizing Trump.

Days after Vindman reposted a Harris promotional video containing an unsubstantiated smear and the claim that "Trump is a danger to national security," a Democratic donor with an intense interest in Ukraine's war effort allegedly set about killing Trump in Florida.

Following reports of gunshots outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and a possible assassination attempt, many went online to express concern for Trump and his family — including President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Vindman and his wife alternatively channeled their hatred of Trump.

Shortly after the assassination attempt was thwarted, Rachel Vindman, the Harris booster's wife, tweeted, "No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon."

'The "tolerance" of the "Left" ladies and gentlemen.'

Rachel Vindman was evidently making light of two shootings: the latest as well as the assassination attempt on July 13 when Trump was shot, former firefighter Corey Comperatore died trying to protect his family, and two others were badly injured.

Some found it hard to believe that the Harris booster's wife would rush to make such a callous comment.

Former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson asked, "Did you really just say this?"

Comedian Rob Schneider wrote, "The 'tolerance' of the 'Left' ladies and gentlemen. At least these demons expose themselves as the loathsome cold hearted charlatans that they are."

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) wrote, "Does this represent the stance of the whole Vindman family? Especially the one running for Congress?"

Waltz was referring to Alexander Vindman's twin, Eugene Vindman, who is running for Congress as a Democrat in Virginia's 7th District.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham wrote, "This lovely specimen is the wife of chief impeachment witness against Trump Alexander Vindman. Today she mocked the 2nd attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Of course, if same had happened to Zelenskyy, she'd demand an international inquiry."

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, tweeted, "This is disgusting."

Rachel Vindman later revealed that her initial message was being interpreted just as intended, stating in a subsequent tweet, "Sorry you're triggered [laughing emoji]. I mean no I'm not. I don't care a little bit."

"Trump has been inciting violence against his enemies for years. He douses a situation in gasoline, lights a match, & walks away claiming no responsibility," added Rachel Vindman. "Look at what is happening in Springfield, OH right now but he wants to claim he's a victim. You cannot have it both ways."

Alexander Vindman soon joined his wife in attacking Trump and downplaying attempted political assassinations.

When Trump co-campaign manager and U.S. Marine veteran Chris LaCivita suggested that Alexander Vindman should condemn his wife's statement, Vindman instead wrote, "I condemn you. I condemn your lack of integrity, your attacks on immigrants, your desecration of Arlington National Cemetery."

Vindman was not referring to the Biden-Harris administration's trampling of graves and toppling of the Jewish American-designed Reconciliation Memorial but rather Trump's recent visit — in which the Republican joined several Gold Star families in paying respects to the fallen, specifically the 13 service members killed in the Biden-Harris administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Vindman added, "Your candidate @realDonaldTrump has incited political violence for a decade. He could reduce the temperature of this election cycle. But you MAGA thrive on bullying. Fact is you are all weak."

The Harris booster proceeded to insinuate that Trump was at fault for his targeting, writing, "Donald @realDonaldTrump instigated attacks on legal immigrants resulting in bomb threats. His constant stoking of political violence doesn't receive enough scrutiny. And the violence he inspires doesn't receive enough condemnation."

When Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) suggested the Vindman family "is saying if Trump won't shut up he deserves to be killed," Alexander Vindman responded, "You & the MAGA extremists have polluted our politics. On November 5th the American public will cancel Trump & Trumpism."

Alexander Vindman's twin, Eugene Vindman, took a different approach, writing, "I am grateful that no one is hurt, and thankful for the law enforcement agents who acted bravely and swiftly in the line of duty."

Eugene Vindman is running against Republican Derrick Anderson, a former A-Team leader in the Green Berets and Special Forces detachment commander who previously served in the Trump administration.

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Manhunt intensifies for I-75 shooting spree suspect who wounded 5, hit a dozen vehicles



Law enforcement has intensified its manhunt for a suspect who went on a Saturday shooting spree on interstate 75 near London, Kentucky.

The shooter fired an AR-15 from a cliff ledge on the side of the interstate about nine miles north of London — roughly 90 miles south of Lexington — around 5:30 p.m. The shooter struck 12 cars and wounded five people, including one who was shot in the face.

'We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him.'

“A couple of our deputies, because of the severity of the injuries, loaded the people up, the injured persons, and transported them to London Hospital,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said Sunday that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and all were in stable condition. Two additional people were injured in a car crash that occurred during the shooting, police said.

Authorities immediately shut down I-75 in both directions because the shooter's location wasn't known.

“We couldn’t risk somebody else being shot,” Root stated.

I-75 reopened around 9:30 p.m. the same day.

Police initially named 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a person of interest in the shooting but elevated him to a suspect Sunday afternoon. Investigators said they found an AR-15 rifle and Couch's car in the vicinity of the shooting.

The decision to name Couch a suspect was based on evidence collected, the recovery of the weapon, Couch’s vehicle, and “some information” that Root could not share at the time.

Couch served in the National Guard for four years in an engineer battalion, according to Laurel County Sheriff's Captain Richard Dalrymple.

Couch has a “very minimal” criminal record in Kentucky, according to Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit. Couch previously was charged with terroristic threatening, but the charge was dismissed earlier this year, Steele said.

On Monday, Couch was charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault in an arrest warrant. Couch could face other, less serious charges, such as property damage and wanton endangerment.

Couch — of Woodbine, Kentucky — is described as standing 5'10" and weighing 154 pounds.

The sheriff's office said Couch is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Dalrymple said at Sunday night’s news briefing that Couch purchased a gun and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition just hours before the shooting.

"He obtained a firearm at a local place here in London," Root said, adding that it was a legal purchase.

'You need to lock your doors. If you have security cameras, make sure you’re constantly watching them; maybe keep your porch lights on. Have your cell phone and make sure your phones are charged upm because you never know when you might have to contact somebody or law enforcement.'

Investigators searched Couch's house Sunday night, Dalrymple said.

Kentucky State Police took over the search for Couch on Sunday night, while the Laurel County Sheriff's Office will handle the criminal investigation. The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting with the investigation.

Couch is believed to be in the the vast, densely wooded area near the shooting scene.

Police are using helicopters, drones, K-9 teams, and ground crews to scour the area.

Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington noted, “You can’t do it very fast because you don’t want to leave [any] rock unturned. You don’t know if he’s in that area. So you’ve gotta be very slow-paced at what you do.”

Root declared, “We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him. This effort is not going to stop.”

Police said it does not appear that the shooter was targeting specific people, but Acciardo said the attack did appear to be “a planned event.” Police have not released any information regarding a motive in the shooting.

Pennington advised local residents, “You need to lock your doors. If you have security cameras, make sure you’re constantly watching them; maybe keep your porch lights on. Have your cell phone and make sure your phones are charged up, because you never know when you might have to contact somebody or law enforcement.”

As the search for the I-75 shooter has entered its third day, authorities closed schools as a precaution. More than a dozen area school districts and several other private schools in Laurel, Jackson, and Clay Counties canceled classes Monday.

Republican Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers on Sunday released a statement about the shooting.

“Our first responders have been working around the clock now for over 24 hours to locate the suspect accused of turning I-75 in Laurel County into a dangerous firing range on Saturday, injuring five people," Rogers began. "Thankfully, local police have confirmed that no further shots have been fired today and all the shooting victims are in stable condition."

Rogers pointed out that semitruck drivers protected students pinned down in school buses on the highway.

“I also want to applaud all the unsung heroes who aided victims before first responders arrived on the scene, the semitruck drivers who surrounded school buses to protect our students stuck on the interstate for hours, and those who have donated water and food to the central command post to support our brave first responders," Rogers stated.

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Trump Rallygoers Were ‘Kind’ ‘Decent People,’ Despite Media Framing Them As Out for ‘Revenge’

"I truly felt like that day we saw good conquer evil right in front of our face. In the face of terror, I saw people standing tall."

Trump needs to say THIS in his RNC speech after assassination attempt



Former President Donald Trump has demonstrated serious heroism in the wake of the attempt on his life.

Not only did he stand up after the bullet grazed his ear, pump his fist, and make sure he made contact with his supporters while telling them to keep fighting — but he has already completely changed his RNC 2024 speech to allegedly focus on unity instead of political jabs.

Glenn Beck is thoroughly impressed and has an idea of what he hopes Trump will tell the nation in his speech.

“I would hope the president will come out and say something along the lines of ‘We’re standing here today because America is resilient. A few days ago, somebody tried to kill me, but by God’s grace that bullet only grazed me,’” Glenn says.

“When you have a bullet whiz by your head, there’s two ways to go. One is vengeance and the other is unity. And our nation is divided. Trust is low in our neighborhoods, in the media, everywhere,” he continues.

Despite knowing exactly what Trump meant, Glenn also believes he needs to address his use of the word “fight” that he yelled while pumping his fist.

“When I say ‘fight,’ what I mean is the little guy needs to rise up. Make sure your voice is heard, to be not afraid. We need to fight, but not with violence. We fight with our words, we fight on the streets with our words and with our actions,” he explains.

“Let’s show the rest of the world what it means to be American,” he continues. “Every voice matters, every citizen matters. Stand up for the principles in our Bill of Rights. Defend the truth with integrity and courage. Forgive others without compromising our values.”

Glenn leaves one parting message for Trump.

“It is important today that we all reach out to somebody that doesn’t agree with us, that is a friend. Just say, ‘How you doing today? Yeah, I know our guy was shot, but I want you to know I don’t hold you responsible for that, I’m sure you were just as offended as I was,’” he says.

“If they weren’t, move on. But most likely, any decent American was horrified by what they saw.”


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Steve Scalise following assassination attempt on Trump: 'This inciendary rhetoric must stop'



Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and several other Republican lawmakers were practicing for a charity baseball game in 2017 when a leftist terrorist took aim at them and opened fire. Scalise, among the wounded, took a bullet to the hip. He suffered fractured bones, damaged organs, and severe bleeding.

Following the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump Saturday, Scalise noted, "For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America. Clearly we've seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past."

"This incendiary rhetoric must stop," added Scalise.

While a handful of Democrats condemned the attempted assassination of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, many in their party have spent years and untold sums of money vilifying Trump and his tens of millions of supporters.

"This MAGA threat is a threat to the brick and mortar of our democratic institutions," President Joe Biden stressed in a speech last September. "It's also a threat to the character of our nation that gives our Constitution life, that binds us together as Americans, a common cause."

In December, Biden wrote, "Trump poses many threats to our country: The right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, and America's standing in the world. But the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy."

'He will destroy this country, our democracy.'

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) noted after the Trump rally shooting, "The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination."

Plenty of Democrats besides Biden have worked ardently to push this narrative despite knowing all along it was bogus.

Years after calling Trump and his fellow Republicans "enemies of the state," Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested in April that Trump is "a great threat to our democracy."

The Democratic National Committee has, for instance, has been running an ad campaign in multiple states labeling Trump not only a "fraud," a "liar," and a "denier" but also a "threat to our democracy," reported The Hill.

There have, of course, been variations on this theme.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Trump presents a "clear and present danger" both to the Congress and to the country. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), apparently reading from the same script, indicated that every moment Trump is in office is a "clear and present danger to the safety and security of the American people."

In May, California Rep. Maxine Waters (D), long a champion for street violence, attempted to paint Trump as a dictator in waiting.

Waters suggested to MSNBC talking head Jonathan Capehart that Trump would seek a third term and stated, "Donald Trump will do any and everything that he can possibly get away with. He does not at all support the Constitution of the United States of America. This is a man who we better be careful about."

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) chimed in, telling Capehart, "If Donald Trump gets re-elected, there is no doubt that he will try to stay in office beyond his four-year term. He will destroy this country, our democracy."

Biden — whose team lashed out at Trump for using the word "bloodbath" in reference to the economic fallout of continued offshoring of jobs under the current administration — suggested on a donors-only call last week that "it's time to put Trump in a bullseye."

The New York Sun noted that unlike Trump's "bloodbath" comment, Biden's "bullseye" remark "has no banal application."

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Shooter at Trump rally is dead, as well as at least one rally attendee: Report



A shooter at former President Donald Trump's rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, is dead, ABC News reported, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger.

Goldinger added that one bystander is "confirmed dead" and "possibly a second" bystander is dead as well, the network noted. CNN reported the shooter was "neutralized," citing numerous law enforcement sources.

'President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,' Trump's campaign said.

Video caught the moment Trump reached to his right ear while he was speaking, after which he ducked down and Secret Service agents surrounded him and took him off stage.

Secret Service confirmed that Trump is safe.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement, "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."

  Donald Trump rushed off stage in Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang during rally youtu.be 

This is a breaking news story; further details will be added as they become available.

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Suspected Kansas City Chiefs parade shooter picked a target at random during dispute, then started shooting: Court docs



One of the suspected Kansas City Super Bowl parade shooters told police he was "just being stupid" when he allegedly started shooting indiscriminately into a crowd full of kids, according to court documents.

Lyndell Mays, 23, and Dominic Miller, 18 — two of the suspects Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) called "thugs," to the chagrin of Kansas City's Democratic Mayor Quinton Lucas — have both been charged with murder in relation to the horrific Valentine's Day shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' victory parade.

The afternoon shooting claimed the life of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 43-year-old mother of two, and grievously wounded at least 24 other people, ages ranging from 8 to 47.

The murder charges come just days after a pair of teens were charged with gun-related offenses as well as with resisting arrest in connection with the parade shooting. More arrests may yet be made as the investigation progresses.

According to court documents, Mays was found after the bloodletting just north of West Pershing Road and Kessler Road, suffering from a gunshot wound. Shell casings were located next to his person along with a stolen Glock 9mm handgun. The gun contained a 15-round magazine with six live rounds remaining, including one that was chambered.

Court documents indicate Mays admitted to police that "he drew a gun first, in a crowd of people with kids, picked one of the individuals in the group at random, and started shooting, all because they said, 'I'm going to get you,' and to him, that meant, 'I'm going to kill you.'"

When pressed on why he advanced on the group of males to begin with, Mays allegedly told police, "Stupid, man. Just pulled a gun out and started shooting. I shouldn't have done that. Just being stupid."

A female witness who was with Mays when the shooting began west of Union Station reportedly told police that "a group of four males approached Lyndell Mays, and one of the males asked Lyndell Mays what he was looking at, because they didn't know him."

The female witness' boyfriend told police that Mays and a group of individuals were "arguing about why they were staring at each other." He indicated that while it was clear the confrontational males had in their possession a firearm, "at no time did the individual touch the firearm or make any threatening statements" to him, his girlfriend, or Mays.

The female witness claimed that upon spotting firearms, she begged Mays to leave. After her supposed attempt at de-escalation, she allegedly turned her back on Lyndell and the other men, at which point she heard gunshots.

Jacob Gooch Sr., a man who took a bullet at the parade along with members of his family, told "CBS Mornings" last week that prior to the shooting, he heard a girl begging one alleged shooter, "Don't do it. Not here. This is stupid."

Gooch indicated that his daughter observed the alleged shooter break free of the woman, then begin "shooting and spinning in a circle."

Court documents suggest surveillance footage confirms that Mays played a lead role in escalating the situation.

"Lyndell Mays starts to approach the individuals in an aggressive manner, at which time Witness 9 puts her hand on Lyndell Mays in an attempt to stop him from advancing further," says the court documents. "It appears Witness 9 and Lyndell Mays continue to verbally argue with individuals in the group."

After yelling at the other men and pointing his finger at them "in an angry manner," Mays allegedly circled "behind a person and pull[ed] out a handgun with his right hand and point[ed] it at one of the individuals," none of whom apparently had yet produced a firearm.

Mays allegedly chased after an unarmed individual with his gun drawn, prompting the other men to pull out their guns and then start shooting. In the melee, Mays apparently caught a bullet to the side of the head.

While it appears that Mays may have started the shooting, court documents indicate that the bullet that killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan was fired from a Taurus G3 9mm — "the firearm Miller acknowledged possessing and firing." Court documents indicate that Mays was initially tackled and detained by a witness.

Blaze News previously reported that two heroic dads at the parade chased down one of the suspected shooters and held him until police arrived.

Mays and Miller each face charges of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. They are both being held on a $1 million bond.

Lopez-Galvan's family said in a statement Tuesday, "The effort and dedicated hours spent to expeditiously investigate this senseless act of violence is extremely commendable. It is reassuring for our family and the entire community to know that this joint team effort has resulted in the identification of the suspects involved."

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