Police have announced that a deceased male was found near a firearm on Canfield Mountain, where SWAT teams were hunting for a shooter who targeted firefighters responding to a brush fire earlier today.
Firefighters, called to extinguish a small brush fire, were ambushed in a calculated attack that claimed two lives and left a community grappling with shock and grief. Here’s a closer look at the devastating event and its impact on this tight-knit Idaho town.
Around 1:21 p.m., a 911 call alerted authorities to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, a popular spot for hikers and bikers just outside Coeur d’Alene. Firefighters from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene, ready to tackle what they thought was a routine blaze. But within 40 minutes, the situation turned dire. Radio calls captured the panic: “Everybody’s shot up here … send law enforcement now.” A gunman, later identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley, had opened fire on the responders in what Sheriff Robert Norris described as a “total ambush.” Two firefighters—one from each department—were killed, and a third was critically wounded but stabilized after surgery.
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Investigators believe Roley deliberately set the fire to lure the firefighters to the mountain. Armed with a shotgun and possibly other weapons, he fired from elevated positions, perhaps even a tree, given his background in an arborist family. The fire, which grew to 26 acres by Monday morning, added chaos to the scene, with smoke and flames hindering law enforcement’s response. It was a calculated act that left responders defenseless, as Sheriff Norris noted, “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
A Massive Response and a Suspect Found
The attack triggered an immediate and overwhelming response. Nearly 300 law enforcement officers, including local police, Idaho State Police, the FBI, and even U.S. Marshals, converged on Canfield Mountain. SWAT teams and helicopters with snipers scoured the rugged terrain, exchanging gunfire with Roley. Using cellphone data, authorities located him by 7:40 p.m., finding his body with a shotgun nearby, likely from a self-inflicted wound. The discovery brought relief to a community under a shelter-in-place order, which was lifted that evening, though residents were urged to stay vigilant as the fire continued to burn.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now tracing the weapon, and investigators are combing the scene for additional evidence, though the ongoing blaze complicates their efforts. Initial fears of multiple shooters were dispelled after analyzing bullet trajectories and the recovered firearm, confirming Roley acted alone.
Questions Linger About the Suspect
Wess Roley, the identified suspect, had ties to Coeur d’Alene, having moved there from Arizona in 2023 to work for his father’s tree-cutting company. More recently, he worked for another local tree service. His grandfather revealed that Roley had aspired to be a firefighter, applying to the forestry service just months before the attack. This revelation adds a chilling layer to the tragedy, as investigators work to uncover his motives. Sheriff Norris noted that Roley had lived in the area for most of 2024, but why he targeted firefighters remains unclear. A flint starter found in his possession supports the theory that he intentionally set the fire as bait.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers first responders face, even in routine tasks. As Coeur d’Alene grieves, the nation watches, united in support for the families of the fallen and the injured firefighter fighting for his life. The road to healing will be long, but the strength of this community—and the resolve to seek answers—will carry them forward.