Authorities in Idaho have identified the man suspected of setting a wildfire and ambushing responding firefighters, killing two and injuring another, before apparently taking his own life on Sunday.
The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, was confirmed by Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris during a press conference on Monday. Roley, originally from California, had reportedly lived in various locations along the US west coast.
The deadly incident occurred on Canfield Mountain, just outside Coeur d’Alene in northwestern Idaho. Sheriff Norris described the event as a deliberate and violent act, stating that the wildfire had been “intentionally set” and labeling the subsequent attack an “ambush.”
Victims of the attack were named as Frank Harwood, 42, and John Morrison, 52 — both longtime members of the Kootenai County Fire Department. A third firefighter, Dave Tysdal, 47, was critically injured and has since undergone two surgeries in the past 24 hours, according to Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif.
Authorities say Roley opened fire on firefighters shortly after they arrived to contain the blaze. The motive remains unclear, but Sheriff Norris revealed that Roley had once aspired to become a firefighter. “We have information that he, at one time, wanted to be a firefighter, so we don’t know if there’s a nexus to that desire and what happened yesterday,” he said.
Following the shooting, law enforcement launched a massive response involving nearly 300 officers as they secured the area and located the suspect, who was later found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators are now working to determine how Roley acquired his weapon, what motivated the attack, and whether any mental health issues or past grievances played a role. No prior incidents involving Roley have been reported publicly by authorities so far.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community and fire service. Chief Greif called the event one of the darkest days in the department’s history, praising the bravery of his team and expressing deep condolences to the victims’ families.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials piece together the timeline and circumstances of the attack. Flags across the region have been lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighters.
