A tragic and unprecedented event unfolded in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, June 30, 2025, when two brave firefighters were fatally shot and a third critically wounded in a calculated ambush. authorities swiftly launched a massive manhunt across the rugged terrain of Canfield Mountain, identifying the suspected gunman as 20-year-old Wess <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/01/what-we-know-about-wess-roley-the-20-year-old-suspect-in-the-idaho-fire-shooting/” title=”Wess Roley: The Idaho Firefighter Ambush Suspect”>roley. This shocking attack, believed to have been triggered by a deliberately set brush fire intended to lure first responders, has left the community reeling and searching for answers regarding the senseless violence. Law enforcement later located the suspect deceased near the scene.
A Calculated Ambush on Canfield Mountain
The deadly incident began around 1:21 p.m. local time on Sunday when a report came in about a brush fire burning on Canfield Mountain, an area known for its popular hiking and biking trails on the outskirts of Coeur d’Alene. Multiple fire departments, including the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and the Northern Lakes Fire District, quickly dispatched crews to the scene. Firefighters arrived within minutes, approximately 1:30 p.m., ready to tackle the blaze.
Just about half an hour later, reports came back from the fire crews: they were under fire. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed that investigators strongly believe the fire was intentionally ignited by the suspect specifically to create an ambush scenario for arriving firefighters. “We do believe the suspect started the fire, it was an ambush and it was totally intentional,” Sheriff Norris stated at a press conference. He emphasized the sudden and brutal nature of the attack, saying, “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
The gunman reportedly concealed himself within the dense pine and fir trees of the forested foothills. Sheriff Norris described the attacker as a sniper armed with what was believed to be a high-powered rifle, indicating the individual was “well prepared” for the challenging landscape. Authorities later confirmed the recovery of a shotgun and found evidence of both larger rifled slugs and smaller shot or fragments near the scene, suggesting potentially multiple weapons or ammunition types were used. Some reports speculated the shooter might have fired from a tree, leveraging experience perhaps gained from working in the tree-trimming industry.
Identifying the Victims
The Kootenai County community and the firefighting fraternity mourned the loss of two dedicated battalion chiefs who made the ultimate sacrifice. The two firefighters killed in the ambush were identified by their union as Battalion Chief John Morrison, a 52-year-old veteran with 28 years of service with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and Battalion Chief Frank J. Harwood, 42, a 17-year veteran of Kootenai Fire & Rescue Department. A third firefighter, Coeur d’Alene firefighter/engineer David Tysdal, 47, who has served for 23 years, sustained a gunshot wound and was reported to be in critical condition after undergoing surgery. Their injuries underscore the extreme danger faced by responders in this unprovoked attack.
The Manhunt and Discovery
The sudden violence triggered a massive law enforcement response. Approximately 300 officers from local and federal agencies, including SWAT teams, the ATF (focusing on tracing the weapon), and the FBI, swarmed the area. Some officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect during the unfolding crisis. A shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents, creating a tense standoff that lasted several hours.
Authorities worked tirelessly to locate the gunman. Around 3:15 p.m., investigators detected an active cellphone signal emanating from the mountain area where the attack occurred. Crucially, this signal remained stationary for some time, providing a potential location for the suspect. Using this data, SWAT officers were able to pinpoint the area. Late Sunday evening, at approximately 7:40 p.m., officers located the body of the suspected gunman, Wess Roley, with a weapon found nearby. While the exact cause of his death was not immediately detailed by Sheriff Norris, officials later stated it appeared he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The discovery of the body near the fire’s edge presented a difficult situation for investigators, who prioritized removing the body and evidence before the advancing blaze could further impact the scene.
What We Know About the Suspect
Authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Wess Val Roley. Details emerging paint a complex picture. Sheriff Norris indicated that local law enforcement had five previous “very minor” interactions with Roley, none resulting in a criminal record. These encounters included a trespassing incident where he complied when asked to leave and welfare checks, sometimes related to his vehicle.
Roley was described by authorities as transient and appeared to have been living out of his car, which investigators found debris-filled and parked near the attack site. To prevent a potential escape during the manhunt, deputies took the precautionary measure of pushing Roley’s vehicle over an embankment. A flint starter was reportedly found in Roley’s possession, further supporting the belief that he deliberately started the brush fire.
Reports from family members, including his grandfather Dale Roley, offer a seemingly contradictory perspective to the violence. His grandfather told news outlets that Wess “actually really respected law enforcement” and “loved firefighters.” He even expressed that his grandson had aspirations of becoming a firefighter and had been in contact with fire departments about potential jobs. This apparent desire makes the attack particularly baffling to his family, with the grandfather speculating that “maybe he got rejected or something” or that “something must have snapped.” Investigators have checked local fire departments but have found no record of an application or formal statement of intent from Roley.
Roley was born in California and had lived in Arizona before moving to Idaho around 2023 or 2024, reportedly to work for his father’s tree-trimming company. Family members mentioned he had recently lost his phone, making contact difficult. Court records from 2015 in Arizona reveal a challenging period during his childhood, including his mother seeking a protection order against his father (then her husband) that alleged domestic violence and threats, including one involving a “sniper rifle.” His parents divorced later that year when Wess was 10. While his grandfather described him as sometimes nervous, high-strung, and a loner, he maintained Wess had not previously shown violent tendencies. Authorities continue to investigate Roley’s background and social media presence for potential clues, noting some posts may have been removed.
Unanswered Questions Remain
As of Monday, the specific motive behind this targeted attack remains unknown and is a central focus of the ongoing investigation led by the Idaho State Police. Sheriff Norris confirmed that no manifesto was found. While the sheriff mentioned a potential interaction regarding Roley’s parked vehicle and family spoke of his firefighting aspirations, authorities have not confirmed any direct link between these factors and the shooting.
The processing of the crime scene, complicated by the presence of the 26-acre Nettleton Gulch Fire (which was reported as contained and not threatening structures), is expected to take several days. Authorities are meticulously gathering evidence to piece together the full sequence of events and understand what could have driven Wess Roley to commit such a heinous act against the first responders he reportedly admired.
Community Impact and Response
The attack sent shockwaves through the normally quiet Coeur d’Alene community. Residents like Debbie Essman described the act as one of “some evil person” and expressed relief that the situation was resolved, though disbelief that it happened at all. The chairman of the Kootenai County Board of County Commissioners called the event a day the community would never forget, describing the violence as “heinous” and “senseless.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a statement calling the incident “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters” and ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the assistance provided by FBI agents on the ground. The multi-agency coordination demonstrated the serious nature of the threat and the unified effort to protect the community and locate the suspect. The bravery of the firefighters who ran towards the danger, and the law enforcement officers who responded under fire, has been widely praised.
The investigation is expected to continue as authorities delve deeper into Wess Roley’s history, state of mind, and the events leading up to the tragic ambush, hoping to provide some clarity to a community left grieving and searching for understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Idaho firefighter ambush on Canfield Mountain?
On Sunday, June 30, 2025, two firefighters were killed and a third wounded in an ambush near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Authorities believe the suspect, Wess Roley, intentionally started a brush fire on Canfield Mountain to lure firefighters, then opened fire on them upon their arrival. The attack resulted in a large-scale law enforcement response.
Who was identified as the suspect, Wess Roley, and what is known about him?
The suspect was identified as Wess Val Roley, a 20-year-old male. Authorities described him as transient, possibly living out of his car. He had previous minor interactions with local law enforcement, including welfare checks and trespassing. Roley’s family indicated he had aspirations of becoming a firefighter and respected emergency responders, making his actions appear contradictory to those who knew him.
What was the suspected motive behind the deadly Coeur d’Alene attack?
As of Monday, the motive for the ambush remains officially unknown and under investigation. Authorities are exploring all possibilities. While some speculate it could be related to Roley’s transient living situation, a potential prior interaction with firefighters regarding his vehicle, or even a possible disappointment related to his reported desire to become a firefighter, no clear motive has been established by investigators.
