WEST WEBSTER, N.Y. — Authorities say a man armed with a rifle started a wildfire and then began shooting at first responders in a northern Idaho mountain community, killing two firefighters and wounding a third.
What happened in that Idaho community is eerily similar to what happened in the community of Webster on Christmas Eve 2012.
For those who were there, they say it is something they will never forget.
A suspect set his house and car on fire, armed himself with three guns and opened fire when firefighters arrived in a full-blown ambush. Two firefighters, Lt. Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, were killed and two were injured.
“It brought back memories, terrible memories,” said former Webster Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt.
“They were going to a call for a fire, got out of the fire truck. Boom, boom! They're dead. [It was] terrible, absolutely terrible,” said Nesbitt, “The guy had to be crazy. As far as I'm concerned, he was crazy to do something like that to two human beings that were just trying to serve the community.”
Police in Idaho describe a similar scenario, saying a man purposely set a fire to lure firefighters and then ambushed them when they responded.
The West Webster Fire District is offering its condolences to the firefighters, families and agencies in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, recognizing the similarities.
Current Fire Chief Glen Moorhouse issued a statement that reads, in part, “Firefighters do not expect to be ambushed or to be under attack at an incident. This incident is a reminder to the dangers that all First Responders face while responding to calls. We encourage and remind all members in the community the importance of saying something if they see something, whether in person or on social media. God Bless the Victims, Families and Firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.”
“They’ve got a grieving period, and it's never going to end. [For] the firefighters, you just cannot give them enough credit for what they do and, the police department, too,” said Nesbitt.
The first police officer on the scene came upon it accidentally – an off-duty cop on his way to work. Jon Ritter heard gunfire; a bullet pierced his windshield. Unarmed, he backed his truck up to the nearest intersection to block the road and prevent others from entering the danger area.
Ritter suffered a fragment blast to his arm and was briefly hospitalized.
“I urge President Trump and Congress to enact Federal laws that will deter these violent acts from being committed and continue holding these monsters accountable for the crimes they commit," Ritter said in part in a statement released Monday. "These violent criminals cause pain and suffering that never leaves the victims’ minds or souls and they wreak havoc on innocent people’s lives forever.”
“It was step by step, day by day," Nesbitt said. "We didn't know what we were doing. And we're trying to console the families and the firemen and the first responders and all through the funerals. And you just remember all the love and the backing that they got. And I hope they get the same in Idaho."
Officials say the suspect, William Spengler, exchanged shots with police, ran and died after shooting himself.
An armored truck was called in to rescue the firefighters and more than 30 civilians.
Ritter was recognized for his heroism and sadly his own hero son, Jamieson Ritter, would become one of two police officers killed in the line of duty in Cleveland one year ago this week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.