Idaho Man Who Ambushed Firefighters Once Dreamed of Joining Their Ranks, Sheriff Says
A 20-year-old transient who deliberately started a fire and then fatally shot two firefighters—injuring a third—on Canfield Mountain in northwestern Idaho had once aspired to be a firefighter himself, according to authorities.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris provided new details Monday about the Sunday attack, which unfolded just north of Coeur d’Alene, a popular hiking area. The suspect, Wess Roley, had been living out of his vehicle and had previously worked in forestry. He had limited prior contact with police, the sheriff said.
While no manifesto has been found and a clear motive remains unknown, Sheriff Norris confirmed that Roley had used flint to ignite the blaze—luring emergency crews to the scene before opening fire.
“There was an interaction with the firefighters. It had something to do with his vehicle being parked where it was,” the sheriff explained.
When firefighters arrived, they came under sustained gunfire, taking cover behind their trucks. Two were killed, and a third was wounded in the multi-hour assault. Sheriff Norris said Roley later died by suicide, and his firearm was recovered nearby.
Links to California, Arizona, and Idaho
Sheriff Norris said Roley had connections to California and Arizona, and had spent most of 2024 living in Idaho.
“But when he got here, why he chose this place—I don’t know,” the sheriff added.
Authorities used cell phone tracking to locate the suspect in the mountainous area, while two helicopters with snipers were dispatched as a precaution. Residents were issued shelter-in-place orders during the manhunt.
Roommate Raised Concerns
TJ Franks Jr, who lived with Roley for about six months in Sandpoint, Idaho, said he grew increasingly alarmed by his housemate’s behavior. At one point, Franks’ security cameras recorded Roley throwing gang signs, prompting him to contact police.
“I didn’t really know what to think. I just called the cops and had them talk to him,” Franks said.
He also recalled another incident when Roley left his vehicle running for 12 hours. After being contacted by the landlord, Franks found Roley asleep in his room—he had simply forgotten about the car. Over time, Franks said, Roley’s behavior became more erratic, culminating in him shaving his head completely.
“We just kind of noticed him starting to decline,” he said.
Family and Community React
Dale Roley, the suspect’s grandfather, said his grandson was passionate about hiking, worked for a tree service, and had a strong interest in forestry.
Meanwhile, the Coeur d’Alene community—home to about 55,000 residents near the Washington state border—has responded with an outpouring of grief and support.
Governor Brad Little ordered both U.S. and Idaho state flags to be flown at half-staff through the day following the firefighters’ memorial services.
“All our public safety officers, especially firefighters, confront danger daily,” the governor said.
“But we’ve never witnessed such a heinous act of violence against them before.”
