Two firefighters lost their lives and another was injured on Sunday when they were shot while responding to a wildfire on an Idaho mountain. Authorities revealed that the incident was a deliberate ambush set up to target the firefighters. A tactical response team used cellphone data to locate a wooded area where they discovered the suspected lone perpetrator’s body and a rifle nearby. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris shared this information in a press conference held late Sunday night. The suspect, identified as Wess Roley, 20, was confirmed by the coroner’s office. Roley had moved from Arizona to Idaho at the age of 18 in 2023 to work for his father’s tree cutting company, according to his mother’s Facebook post. Sheriff Norris stated on Monday that it appears Roley took his own life, and the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
Law enforcement officers responded to the attack after multiple firefighters were shot while battling the fire in the Canfield Mountain area outside Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The suspect’s body and firearm were swiftly removed from the scene due to the approaching flames. A shelter-in-place order for residents was lifted, although caution was advised as the fire was still active. Sheriff Norris emphasized that the incident was a premeditated ambush orchestrated by the suspect. He mentioned that the firefighters had no opportunity to defend themselves.
The attack led to a 20-acre blaze, with approximately 300 law enforcement officers present at the scene, including personnel from Spokane, Washington, and the FBI. Gunfire exchange occurred between the authorities and the suspect, and efforts were made to neutralize the threat swiftly and efficiently. The injured firefighter underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition, while the deceased victims were identified as members of the Coeur d’Alene department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a direct assault on the courageous firefighters and urged Idahoans to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts. Dale Roley, Wess Roley’s grandfather, described his grandson as a normal kid in a phone interview with CBS News.
Dale Roley recently lost his cellphone and clarified that his grandson did not possess a “high-powered rifle.” “He had a .22 long rifle and a shotgun,” he explained, emphasizing that these were not considered high-powered rifles. Dale expressed hope that there were unusual circumstances and that his grandson, Wess, was not actually involved in any wrongdoing.
Their last conversation took place approximately three weeks ago, prior to Wess losing his phone. During that talk, Wess seemed positive about the future. Dale recalled, “He was excited about stuff.” The current situation has left Dale puzzled, wondering about the catalyst that led to these events. He described Wess as someone who enjoyed nature, being a hunter and fisherman. The family is perplexed and searching for answers.
Dale mentioned that Wess had previously worked in his father’s tree company but had recently taken a job with a different tree company in Coeur d’Alene. Wess had aspirations of becoming a firefighter and had applied for a position with the forestry service a few months prior. Dale extended his sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy.
An incident involving a sniper targeting firefighters as they responded to a blaze near Canfield Mountain, located just north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Mark Lathrop captured the situation on camera. Authorities evacuated hikers from the area as they worked to address the ongoing threat from the suspect. Coeur d’Alene is situated close to the Idaho-Washington border, approximately 30 miles from Spokane.
As the situation unfolded, Sheriff Norris provided updates to the media, indicating that civilians were being safely removed from the mountain. Law enforcement was focused on neutralizing the active threat posed by the shooter and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. Efforts were made to locate and assist any individuals stranded or in shock on the mountain. Authorities aimed to resolve the situation swiftly and with care for public safety.
