Idaho AMBUSH—Investigators Scramble for MOTIVE

Wess Roley, a 20-year-old with aspirations to become a firefighter, now stands identified as the suspected sniper who ambushed and killed two Idaho firefighters after allegedly setting a wildfire as a deadly trap.

At a Glance

  • Wess Roley, 20, has been identified as the suspect who ambushed and killed two firefighters on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
  • The slain firefighters have been identified as Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison. A third injured firefighter is now in stable condition.
  • Authorities say Roley deliberately set the fire to lure first responders before opening fire with a high-powered rifle. He was later found dead from a suspected self-inflicted wound.
  • Investigators have not yet established a clear motive and say there is currently no evidence linking Roley to any extremist groups.

A Killer Identified in Firefighter Ambush

Authorities have identified 20-year-old Wess Roley as the gunman who deliberately set a wildfire in northern Idaho on Sunday, June 29, and then ambushed the first responders who arrived to fight it. The cold-blooded attack claimed the lives of two veteran firefighters, identified as Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Battalion Chief John Morrison. A third firefighter, David Tysdal, was critically wounded in the attack but has since been upgraded to stable condition.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Roley was found dead at the scene with a firearm nearby. Preliminary evidence suggests he died by suicide after carrying out the attack.

A Puzzling Motive

As the investigation into the tragedy continues, a perplexing and disturbing picture of the attacker is beginning to emerge. Authorities have revealed that Roley, the man who murdered two firefighters, had once aspired to become a firefighter himself. This has left both law enforcement and the public struggling to understand what could have motivated such a heinous act.

The attack took place on the 24th anniversary of the day the nearby Aryan Nations compound was destroyed in a fire department training burn, which led to widespread online speculation about a possible revenge motive. However, Sheriff Robert Norris has been clear that, at this time, investigators have found no evidence to connect Roley to any extremist or political groups.

A Family’s Heartbreak

The family of Wess Roley has issued a public statement expressing their sorrow and shock. “At this time, we, the family of Wess Roley, would like to offer our most heartfelt condolences to the families of those whose lives were taken and to the community of Coeur d’Alene at large,” the statement read, according to NewsNation.

“There are no words that can suffice for this tragedy and the infinite losses suffered by those affected by this shooting,” the family continued. “We do not understand why this happened or how this came about. Our hearts and spirits are broken for the lost and hurting, and for our own loss as well.” They have pledged to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

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