Firefighters with 70 years of combined experience killed by suspect who ‘wanted be a fireman'. What we know
Authorities believe the fire was deliberately started to lure emergency crews into an ambush. The gunman was later found dead with a weapon nearby. Police suspect he died by suicide.
'This wasn't an event that we had trained for,' Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif said at a news briefing, as reported by CNN.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris told CBS News that a tactical team used mobile phone signals to locate Roley in a wooded area near the fire. A rifle was found next to his body.
Sheriff 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.'
Roley is believed to have moved from Arizona to Idaho in 2023 to work for his father's tree-cutting business. His grandfather told CBS News that Roley had applied to work for the forestry service and 'wanted to be a fireman'.
Frank Harwood, 42, was a Battalion Chief with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. He had served for 17 years and was a former Army National Guard combat engineer. He was married with two children.
John Morrison, 52, was the Battalion Chief with Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. He had been with the department for over 28 years and had moved up from firefighter to battalion chief.
Engineer Dave Tysdal, 47, of Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, was seriously injured. He has served for 23 years. Fire officials said he underwent two surgeries and is now in critical but stable condition.
Together, the three firefighters had nearly 70 years of combined experience.
Governor Brad Little called it a 'heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' in a post on X. He asked Idahoans to pray for the victims and their families.
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.
As this…
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) June 29, 2025
A large law enforcement response was deployed, including local police, Idaho State Police, federal agents and support from Washington state.
The fire continues to burn across an area of roughly 20 acres. Authorities have lifted a shelter-in-place order, but say residents should remain alert.
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