Authorities in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, are holding a press conference to update the public on their investigation following a tragic incident where a suspect allegedly ambushed firefighters, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and serious injuries to a third responder. The attack took place as the firefighters were attending to the Nettleton Gulch Fire at Canfield Mountain on Sunday afternoon. Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County stated that the suspect initiated the fire to draw the firefighters into the area, where he then opened fire on them in what appears to have been a deliberate ambush.
The victims have not yet been publicly identified, and the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Office plans to provide further information at a separate press briefing later in the day. The injured firefighter, who underwent surgery and is in stable condition, is fighting for his recovery.
During a subsequent press conference on Monday, Sheriff Norris revealed that the suspect was identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley. The authorities are investigating the motive behind the ambush and examining any evidence left by the suspect at the scene. It was determined that the suspect died by suicide at the fire site, where a firearm was also recovered.
Wess Roley, who had relocated to Idaho from Arizona to work for his father’s tree-cutting business, was described by his family as a typical young person. His grandfather, Dale Roley, expressed hope that Wess was not directly involved in the tragic incident, emphasizing that Wess had only possessed a .22 long rifle and a shotgun. The family extended their sympathies to the families of the fallen firefighters.
The Nettleton Gulch Fire has spread to around 26 acres as of Monday afternoon, according to the Idaho Department of Lands. There have been no evacuation orders issued, and no structures are currently at risk from the fire, which remains under investigation.
