A man in northern Idaho started a wildfire and then shot three firefighters, killing two and injuring one. He reportedly opened fire after they asked him to move his parked vehicle.
Authorities Identify the Suspect
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris identified the shooter as 20-year-old Wess Roley. Officers later found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the scene.
The attack happened Sunday at Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, a well-known outdoor area.
Roley Lived in His Car and Had Few Local Ties
According to Sheriff Norris, Roley had few contacts in the area and lived out of his vehicle. He once dreamed of becoming a firefighter. However, investigators are still unsure why Roley launched the attack. “We have not been able to find a manifesto,” Norris said. He added, “Families of the victims are in shock and are still processing it.”
Firefighters Came to Fight Flames But Faced Gunfire
On Sunday, Roley started a wildfire using a flint. Firefighters responded quickly. However, instead of battling flames, they faced bullets. As they tried to hide behind fire trucks, Roley shot at them for several hours. In the end, two firefighters died, and one was injured.
Later, police found Roley dead in the mountains with his firearm beside him.
Confrontation Took Place Before the Attack
Before the shooting, Roley had a brief argument with the firefighters. Sheriff Norris said the discussion was about “his vehicle being parked where it was.”
Roley had been living in Idaho through most of 2024. He also had past connections to California and Arizona. Still, officials don’t know why he chose this specific place or day to attack.
Police and FBI Moved Quickly to Contain the Situation
During the standoff, two helicopters flew over the mountain. Snipers were ready to intervene if needed. Meanwhile, the FBI used Roley’s phone data to track his location.
As a safety measure, authorities told local residents to shelter in place. Eventually, they discovered Roley’s body and ended the manhunt.
Roommate Describes Changes in Roley’s Behavior
TJ Franks, who once lived with Roley in Sandpoint, said he worked in a tree service company. Over time, Franks noticed strange behavior. One day, Franks’s security camera recorded Roley flashing gang signs. “I didn’t know what to really think about it,” he said. “I just called the cops and had them talk to him.”
Later, the landlord contacted Franks after neighbors reported Roley’s car had been running for over 12 hours. According to Franks, Roley began acting more erratically. He shaved off his long hair and appeared mentally unstable. “We just kind of noticed him starting to decline or kind of go downhill,” Franks told the Associated Press.