


Tragic Idaho Firefighter Ambush: New Details Emerge on Shooter and Victims
Wess Roley, the gunman in the Idaho firefighter ambush, had aspirations to be a firefighter and took his own life after the attack that killed two.

Officials ID shooter in firefighter ambush

Boston Herald

What to know about firefighters ambushed by sniper in Idaho

Washington Examiner

Two Idaho firefighters killed in ambush, suspect found dead

World News Group

Idaho Firefighters Ambushed: What to Know

TIME Magazine
Overview
- Wess Roley, 20, identified as the gunman, had aspirations to be a firefighter and minor police contacts before the attack.
- The ambush resulted in the deaths of two firefighters, Frank Harwood and John Morrison, who had nearly 70 years of combined service.
- Roley set a fire at Canfield Mountain to lure firefighters, indicating a premeditated attack; the motive remains unclear.
- Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered flags to half-staff to honor the fallen firefighters, reflecting the community's grief.
- In response to the ambush, local departments are adding law enforcement to all calls, highlighting the impact on first responders.
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Analysis
Left-leaning sources frame the incident as a tragic culmination of personal decline, emphasizing the shooter's troubled background and aspirations. They highlight the profound impact on the firefighting community, advocating for increased safety measures. The narrative suggests a need for understanding underlying issues, reflecting a bias towards empathy and systemic analysis.
"A 20-year-old man’s life appeared to have begun to unravel in the months before authorities say he fatally shot two firefighters and severely wounded a third as they responded to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."

"A 20-year-old man’s life appeared to have begun to unravel in the months before authorities say he fatally shot two firefighters and severely wounded a third as they responded to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."
"The now deceased suspect is believed to have started the fire intentionally to draw-in and target responding firefighters, officials have said."
"A community in Northern Idaho is in shock after two firefighters were shot dead after responding to a mountain blaze."
"The entire State of Idaho grieves the profound loss of the firefighters killed in the shocking ambush."

"The outpouring of support was swift in Coeur d’Alene, a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington."
"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
"The fire was set to lure the firefighters into an ambush, Norris said."

"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."

"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."

"A sniper ambushed firefighters responding to a blaze in an Idaho mountain community on Sunday, according to law enforcement, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a “heinous” assault."
"A sniper ambushed firefighters responding to a blaze in an Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a “heinous” assault."
Center-leaning sources frame the incident with a focus on the tragic loss of experienced firefighters and the suspect's unexpected actions, highlighting his past aspirations. They convey a sense of shock and mourning within the community, while also emphasizing the need for increased safety measures, reflecting a bias towards valuing public safety and the impact on first responders.
"The deaths of Frank Harwood, 42, with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, have left their colleagues reeling, resulting in their departments adding law enforcement to every call, no matter how routine."

"There is something particularly nauseating about a creeper who would set a brush fire then start shooting at the first responders who rush to the scene to put it out."
"A 20-year-old man’s life appeared to have begun to unravel in the months before authorities say he fatally shot two firefighters and severely wounded a third as they responded to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."

"Dale Roley said those killed while responding to the brush fire, which officials believe the suspect purposely started before the ambush, "didn't deserve it.""
"The sheriff said investigators believe the suspect used a flint starter to start the fire to lure the firefighters there."
"The attack stunned some members of the suspect's family as his name began circulating in news reports on Monday, and they initially thought he could have been at the scene as a volunteer."
"Authorities believe Roley deliberately lit the fire to lure first responders to the area."
"This was a total ambush."
"A man who had intentionally set the fire to ambush the crew on Sunday was perched in a sniper position, firing at the firefighters."
"The sniper ignited a blaze before ambushing and fatally shooting two responding firefighters."
"Details were scarce on what was described as a "heinous act" that has shocked the local community."
"Authorities found the shooter's body and a nearby firearm using cell phone location data, local officials said."

"A violent ambush in Idaho leaves 2 firefighters dead and 1 injured."
"At least two people have been killed after someone opened fire on firefighters responding to a wildfire in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, local law enforcement officials said."
"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
"The two fatalities are believed to be fire personnel, Norris said."
"The attack happened at around 2 p.m. at Canfield Mountain outside the city of Coeur d’Alene in Kootenai County."
"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."

Right-leaning sources frame the narrative around Wess Roley as a tragic fall from aspiration to criminality, emphasizing his past dreams juxtaposed with his current actions. They highlight the emotional impact on the firefighting community, suggesting a broader societal concern about safety and the consequences of individual decline.
"A 20-year-old man’s life appeared to have begun to unravel in the months before authorities say he fatally shot two firefighters and severely wounded a third as they responded to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."
"This was a total ambush; these firefighters did not have a chance."
"The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, was seen in a picture posted to his Instagram story wearing black face paint and camouflage clothing with a bandolier on his waist, authorities shared at a news conference."
"The ambush killing of two firefighters responding to a brush fire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is nothing short of horrific."

"The ambush resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters and left a community in mourning and shock."

"This tragedy reminds us of another element of risk that all first responders now face as they do their job protecting the public they serve."

"The alleged sniper who killed two firefighters and wounded a third in an ambush-styled attack in Idaho has been identified as Wess Roley."
"The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters and left one critically wounded, highlighting the senseless violence that can occur in the line of duty."

"Authorities believe the gunman intentionally set the fire in order to lure firefighters to the scene."
"The suspect intentionally set a fire in the mountains of northern Idaho before shooting at responders who tried to stop the blaze."

"The fire was set to lure the firefighters into an ambush, Norris said."
"The man police believe laid an ambush for Idaho firefighters on Sunday is dead."

"These firefighters didn't stand a chance."
"The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said fire crews responded to a blaze at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene at around 1:30 p.m."
"The Kootenai County Sheriff indicated that law enforcement believes the shooter started the fire on Canfield Mountain as part of an ambush."
"The lockdown in Coeur d’Alene was lifted Sunday after SWAT Team members found a deceased man on the mountain with a gun nearby."

"At least two individuals believed to be first responders are dead and several others are wounded after at least one shooter attacked first responders in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in what’s being described as an ambush."
"Idaho law enforcement is not certain how many people may have opened fire on firefighters responding to a brush fire."

"Two firefighters are dead and others injured after a shooting in a mountainous area of Idaho on Sunday afternoon local time."

"Two firefighters were killed and a third was fighting for his life Sunday when an active shooter ambushed fire crews responding to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."
"A sniper who was still on the loose late Sunday shot at firefighters battling a mountain wildfire in Idaho, killing at least two people and injuring more, authorities said."
"An unknown number of firefighters were shot while responding to a brushfire on Sunday in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, according to CNN."

"The number of shooters has not yet been confirmed, but no suspects are yet in custody."

"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
Articles (54)
Center (18)
FAQ
The motive behind Wess Roley's attack remains unclear, although the attack was premeditated as he set a fire to lure firefighters before ambushing them.
The two firefighters killed, Frank Harwood and John Morrison, had nearly 70 years of combined service to the fire department, reflecting their long-standing commitment to their community.
Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen firefighters, and local departments have responded by adding law enforcement presence to all calls to protect first responders.
Wess Roley, aged 20, had aspirations to be a firefighter himself and worked in the tree service industry. He came from a family of arborists and had minor contacts with police prior to the attack.
History
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