Authorities reveal that Wess Roley, who idolized firefighters and once aspired to be one, fatally shot two emergency responders during an arson ambush at Canfield Mountain. Investigators are piecing together the complex motivations behind his violent outburst, as the community mourns the loss of brave lives.
Idaho Gunman Who Ambushed Firefighters Idolized His Victims

Idaho Gunman Who Ambushed Firefighters Idolized His Victims
A tragic shooting in Idaho left two firefighters dead as the shooter, Wess Roley, sought to lure them into an ambush.
A 20-year-old man from Idaho, identified as Wess Roley, has been linked to a horrific ambush in which two firefighters were fatally shot while responding to a blaze at Canfield Mountain. According to police, Roley - who once aspired to be a firefighter himself - designed the fire to draw emergency services into the area. The tragic incident unfolded as firefighters Frank Harwood and John Morrison responded to the flames, with a third firefighter, Dave Tysdal, sustaining injuries but remaining in stable condition.
In a press briefing, Sheriff Bob Norris of Kootenai County stated that Roley had idolized firefighters and once sought employment with a local fire department. His grandfather, Dale Roley, expressed disbelief over the violent actions of his grandson, suggesting that a possible rejection may have triggered this aggressive behavior, although the motive remains uncertain.
Reports indicate that the ambush was premeditated, with Roley reportedly starting the fire with a flint found near his body. Tensions escalated after Roley was asked by firefighters to move his parked vehicle, in which he had been living. "This was a total ambush," Norris affirmed, emphasizing the unpreparedness of the firefighters when the shooting began.
In the aftermath, Idaho's governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen responders. Emergency crews and law enforcement mobilized more than 300 officers, including helicopters, during a tense standoff that lasted hours before Roley's body was located near the attack site. Investigators are now examining the firearms recovered from the scene, including a shotgun and high-powered rifles believed to have been used in the shooting.
The incident has raised alarms within the community, with many now reflecting on how someone known to idolize first responders could turn against them so violently. Roley's history of interactions with law enforcement since moving to Idaho in 2024 was reported to be minimal, with most incidents classified as minor. Further investigation continues to shed light on the motivations behind this tragic ambush as the community mourns the loss of two heroic firefighters.