Topline
Authorities reportedly identified the man suspected of killing two firefighters and injuring another in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—after he was found dead next to the sniper rifle believed to be used to ambush firefighters responding to a wildfire.
The shooting took near Idaho's Canfield Mountain as fire fighter were responding to a wildfire which ... More
A law enforcement official identified the suspect to the Associated Press as 20-year-old Wess Roley.
Authorities believe Roley intentionally set a fire on Canfield Mountain on Sunday before opening fire on the responding firefighters, CNN reported.
At a press conference late Sunday evening, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said authorities received a call about a fire breaking out on Canfield Mountain, located north of Coeur d’Alene, at around 1:21 p.m. local time.
At around 2 p.m. local time, the sheriff’s office received received reports that the firefighters who were tackling the blaze were being shot, after which 300 local, state and federal law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
After searching the area for several hours, police found the body a man with a weapon nearby, which is believed to belong to the gunman, Norris said.
Norris said based on preliminary information authorities believe the deceased man was the only shooter and addedthe suspect likely intentionally started the fire as part of “an ambush.”
A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for several hours until the gunman’s body was found as people were urged to “stay away” from the Canfield Mountain and the area was designated a “no-fly zone”.
In a Facebook post, Kootenai County Emergency Management said a wildfire was still burning on Canfield Mountain as firefighting efforts had to be paused while police were hunting for the shooter.
Police confirmed that two firefighters, one from Coeur d’Alene and another from Kootenai County were killed in the shooting. A third firefighter from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department was injured and taken into surgery. Police said the injured fire fighter was in stable condition after coming out of surgery, but was “fighting for his life.” According to the Associated Press, the victims were taken to the nearby Kootenai Health hospital, where two were declared dead on arrival.
Authorities said they believe the shooter acted alone. In the press conference, Norris said: “We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional...These firefighters did not have a chance.” The sheriff said the wildfire in the mountains was “rapidly approaching the body,” so police had to quickly “scoop up” the body and transfer it to a different location. Norris said authorities tracked a cellphone signal on Canfield Mountain to determine the suspected shooter’s location. “We had a cell phone activation that was in the same spot since about 3:16 [p.m.]
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tweeted that the DHS was “actively monitoring the scene in Coeur d’Alene... Justice will be served.” In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “Thank you to our incredible FBI agents on the ground assisting local authorities in Idaho. We are praying for all.”
In a statement on X, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said: “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken.”
15-20 acres. That is the size of the wildfire burning in the Canfield Mountain area, the Idaho Department of Lands said its most recent update. The agency said the blaze grew in size as “fire crews were unable to access the fire until it was deemed safe, at around 7:30 p.m.”
Man started Idaho blaze and then fatally shot 2 firefighters in ambush, officials say (NPR)
Gunman started Idaho blaze and then fatally shot 2 firefighters in ambush attack, officials say (Associated Press)