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.
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Boston Herald
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World News Group
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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
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.
Sheriff Norris stated uncertainty regarding the number of shooters and victims at the scene.
Wess Roley moved from Arizona to Idaho in 2023 to work for his father's tree lopping company, where he had been working about a year ago.
The bodies of both the sniper and his victim were found near a blaze on Canfield Mountain near Coeur D'Alene, with a gun found near the victim's body.
The suspect's cause of death is unknown, but he had exchanged gunfire with responding law enforcement officers.
Wess Roley took his own life after the shootings.
The motive behind Roley's actions in the attack remains unknown as no manifesto or writings indicating a motive have been found or revealed by authorities.
A deceased male believed to be the shooter was found by a police tactical team with a weapon nearby at the scene of the attack.
The firefighter who suffered critical injuries underwent emergency surgery and remains in stable condition.
Two victims were transported to Kootenai Health, with two dead on arrival and a third being treated.
Authorities believed that the two individuals who were killed were fire personnel.
The 20-year-old suspect, Wess Roley, was found dead at the scene with a firearm.
Roley fired shots at firefighters responding to a wildfire.
Articles (54)
Center (18)
"…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."
Military Times·4h·"…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."
USA TODAY·10h·"…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."
Associated Press·13h·"…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.""
ABC News·18h·"…The sheriff said investigators believe the suspect used a flint starter to start the fire to lure the firefighters there."
CBS News·21h·"…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."
NBC News·1d·"…Authorities believe Roley deliberately lit the fire to lure first responders to the area."
BBC News·1d·"…This was a total ambush."
USA TODAY·1d·"…A man who had intentionally set the fire to ambush the crew on Sunday was perched in a sniper position, firing at the firefighters."
Associated Press·1d·"…The sniper ignited a blaze before ambushing and fatally shooting two responding firefighters."
USA TODAY·1d·"…Details were scarce on what was described as a "heinous act" that has shocked the local community."
NBC News·1d·"…Authorities found the shooter's body and a nearby firearm using cell phone location data, local officials said."
USA TODAY·1d·"…A violent ambush in Idaho leaves 2 firefighters dead and 1 injured."
Associated Press·2d·"…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."
CBS News·2d·"…This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
BBC News·2d·"…The two fatalities are believed to be fire personnel, Norris said."
ABC News·2d·"…The attack happened at around 2 p.m. at Canfield Mountain outside the city of Coeur d’Alene in Kootenai County."
USA TODAY·2d·"…This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters."
Associated Press·2d·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.
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