NEW: Idaho DHS Building Targeted In Leftist Terrorist Attack

Authorities in Meridian, Idaho have shared details on a disturbing terrorist incident involving a suspect who stole an ambulance and drove it into a building leased by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The sequence of events began around 11:10 p.m. local time on Wednesday, February 18, when an ambulance belonging to Canyon County Paramedics was stolen from an ambulance bay at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center, according to a report from local outlet KBOI.

The suspect then proceeded to retrieve gas cans that had been staged in nearby vegetation or bushes. Shortly after, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, the suspect drove the ambulance directly into the St. Luke’s Portico North building.

The building, which is owned by St. Luke’s Health System, serves as administrative office space and has recently been leased to DHS, the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, ICE agents are not stationed there, and the space is not used for processing activities.

Following the collision, the suspect poured gasoline or another type of accelerant inside and around the ambulance. They then attempted to ignite the accelerant but was unable to do so before being interrupted by arriving law enforcement and first responders. The individual then fled the scene on foot.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS and Developing Story:

Photos from @CBS2Boise of the Portico North office building in Meridian, ID where someone crashed a stolen ambulance into the lobby and attempted to set the building on fire. A portion of the building reportedly had been leased to DHS,… pic.twitter.com/Uxc1OGIzcs

— Ryan Spoon (@SpoonForIdaho) February 19, 2026

No fire was started, and the incident did not result in any injuries to the public, first responders, or occupants of the building, as no one was present in the structure at the time. The ambulance was also unoccupied by paramedics during the theft.

The ambulance was largely totaled after it was rammed into the building’s lobby, resulting in broken glass and structural impact at the point of entry. The St. Luke’s Health System confirmed that the event has not affected patient services at their facilities

Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea described the act as intentional during a press conference on Thursday. “This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk.”

Basterrechea also addressed escalating violent rhetoric and the dramatic increase in violent attacks targeting federal immigration agents nationwide. “There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location,” he said during the press conference.

Idaho-based activist Ryan Spoon reported that just three days prior to the attack, local leftist groups Babe Vote and The Idaho 97 Project issued a “call to action” against the building for leasing space to DHS.

“We want to emphasize that this was a serious criminal act. The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created a risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community,” Basterrechea told reporters.

The perpetrator is described as a single suspect who has not been identified or apprehended. Authorities have stated there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the broader community despite the fact that the suspect remains at-large as of this report.

The investigation is being led by the Meridian Police Department, with coordination from federal and state agencies including the FBI, ATF and DHS.

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