Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — A 20-year-old man suspected of fatally ambushing two firefighters and injuring another during a brush fire response in northern Idaho is believed to have deliberately ignited the blaze to lure first responders into a deadly trap, law enforcement said Monday.
The suspect, Wess Roley, used a flint to start the fire and then climbed a tree, according to Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris, before opening fire with a shotgun on unsuspecting firefighters below. Two battalion chiefs lost their lives in the tragic encounter, and a third responder remains hospitalized.
“This was not a spontaneous act,” said Sheriff Norris. “This was an intentional ambush targeting our first responders.”
🔥 The Attack: Fire Turned Trap
The fatal incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon on Canfield Mountain, where firefighters responded to reports of a brush fire. Investigators say that Roley had set the fire himself, intending to draw fire crews to the location.
Once responders arrived and asked him to move his vehicle from a nearby access road, he allegedly climbed a tree and opened fire without warning.
In the ensuing chaos:
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Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, was shot and killed.
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Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 46, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, also died at the scene.
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Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was seriously wounded and remains in critical condition.
Law enforcement quickly responded and exchanged gunfire with the suspect as flames grew nearby. The blaze was eventually contained, but Roley disappeared into the rugged mountain terrain.
📱 Tracked by Cell Signal, Found Dead on the Mountain
After a short manhunt, deputies used cell phone signal data to locate Roley’s body further up the mountain, dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A shotgun was found near the scene.
Authorities have stated that they believe Roley acted alone and did not leave behind a note or manifesto. The motive remains unclear, though evidence increasingly suggests a deliberate, premeditated act designed to harm firefighters.
🧩 Who Was Wess Roley?
Originally from California and later Arizona, Wess Val Roley had moved to Idaho in 2024, living out of his vehicle while working for a tree-cutting service. By all accounts, he had no serious criminal history. His grandfather, Dale Roley, spoke candidly to reporters, saying the young man had once expressed aspirations to become a forest firefighter himself.
“He was just trying to figure his life out,” Mr. Roley said. “He seemed to be a little bit optimistic.”
The two had spoken frequently, but the grandfather revealed that they had lost touch about a month ago after Wess lost his cellphone. There were no clear indications that he was planning violence or struggling with mental illness at the time, though investigators are now combing through his personal effects and online activity.
⚠️ Social Media and Warning Signs
Just before the shooting, Roley posted a disturbing Instagram story showing himself wearing a balaclava, soot on his face, and rifle shells on his chest. The post included cryptic music lyrics referencing hunting, which now appears to have been a grim foreshadowing of the attack.
Authorities are analyzing his digital footprint for further clues into his mindset, but Sheriff Norris said there is no evidence of ideological extremism as of now.
💔 A Community in Mourning
The deaths of Morrison and Harwood have left the Coeur d’Alene firefighting community in shock and grief. Tributes have poured in across Idaho, with flags lowered at fire stations, candlelight vigils organized, and GoFundMe pages launched to support the families of the victims.
“John and Frank were the best of us — leaders, mentors, heroes,” said a tearful fire chief at Monday’s news conference.
🔎 The Bigger Picture
This incident marks one of the deadliest targeted attacks on U.S. firefighters in recent years and raises alarming questions about the risks emergency responders face even in non-combat zones. The use of fire as a weaponized lure, experts warn, is a rare but deeply concerning tactic that requires renewed focus on responder safety and mental health awareness within communities.
As Idaho law enforcement continues its investigation, the community is left grappling with the unimaginable — that someone who once wanted to serve as a firefighter ultimately became the source of one of the profession’s darkest days.
If you have any information related to this case or concerns about someone at risk of violence, contact the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 208-446-1300.