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Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height

Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height

Cedar News3 days ago
The 20-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in northern Idaho had long dreamed of joining the fire service himself — but may have been turned down due to his height, according to his grandfather.
Wess Val Roley, described by relatives as someone who 'idolized' firefighters and respected law enforcement, allegedly ambushed first responders on Sunday after deliberately setting a fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene.
'He actually really respected law enforcement,' said his grandfather, Dale Roley, in an interview with NBC News. 'He loved firefighters. It didn't make sense that he was shooting firefighters… Maybe he got rejected or something. His height might have had something to do with it.'
Standing 5-foot-8, Roley had reportedly inquired about joining a fire department but may have been denied the opportunity — a detail that could shed light on his motive, though investigators have yet to confirm any connection.
Officials say Roley lit a bush on fire and then opened fire on arriving firefighters, killing two and wounding a third. The suspect later died from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His van, found nearby, appeared to be his home.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris called the attack a 'total ambush,' stating the firefighters 'did not have a chance.' He confirmed that Roley had expressed interest in firefighting and released a disturbing photo of the suspect wearing a balaclava and ammunition belt, which was shared on his social media prior to the attack.
Police also confirmed Roley had no criminal record, though he had been subject to welfare checks and a minor trespassing incident in the past. His grandfather described him as 'nervous,' 'high strung,' and 'a bit of a loner,' but thought these were 'normal issues for kids these days.'
The fire Roley allegedly started, known as the Nettleton Gulch Fire, has spread across approximately 20 acres. Firefighters were still battling the blaze into Monday.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, but confirmed one was from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. The third firefighter, initially in critical condition, is now reported to be stable.
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Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height
Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height

Cedar News

time3 days ago

  • Cedar News

Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height

The 20-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in northern Idaho had long dreamed of joining the fire service himself — but may have been turned down due to his height, according to his grandfather. Wess Val Roley, described by relatives as someone who 'idolized' firefighters and respected law enforcement, allegedly ambushed first responders on Sunday after deliberately setting a fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene. 'He actually really respected law enforcement,' said his grandfather, Dale Roley, in an interview with NBC News. 'He loved firefighters. It didn't make sense that he was shooting firefighters… Maybe he got rejected or something. His height might have had something to do with it.' Standing 5-foot-8, Roley had reportedly inquired about joining a fire department but may have been denied the opportunity — a detail that could shed light on his motive, though investigators have yet to confirm any connection. Officials say Roley lit a bush on fire and then opened fire on arriving firefighters, killing two and wounding a third. The suspect later died from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His van, found nearby, appeared to be his home. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris called the attack a 'total ambush,' stating the firefighters 'did not have a chance.' He confirmed that Roley had expressed interest in firefighting and released a disturbing photo of the suspect wearing a balaclava and ammunition belt, which was shared on his social media prior to the attack. Police also confirmed Roley had no criminal record, though he had been subject to welfare checks and a minor trespassing incident in the past. His grandfather described him as 'nervous,' 'high strung,' and 'a bit of a loner,' but thought these were 'normal issues for kids these days.' The fire Roley allegedly started, known as the Nettleton Gulch Fire, has spread across approximately 20 acres. Firefighters were still battling the blaze into Monday. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, but confirmed one was from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. The third firefighter, initially in critical condition, is now reported to be stable.

NEW: Wess Roley, Former Military Reservist, Lured Firefighters into Deadly Ambush with Mountain Blaze
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time3 days ago

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NEW: Wess Roley, Former Military Reservist, Lured Firefighters into Deadly Ambush with Mountain Blaze

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho — June 30, 2025 — A tragic ambush in the Idaho mountains has left one firefighter critically injured and a community shaken, as investigators identify the suspected shooter as Wess Roley. Law enforcement officials believe Roley intentionally set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain to lure emergency crews into a deadly trap before opening fire on them with high-powered hunting rifles. A Calculated Ambush The deadly incident began around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday when first responders were dispatched to reports of a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene. Just 30 minutes after arriving at the remote and heavily wooded area, firefighters came under fire from an unseen sniper. 'Everybody's shot up here. Send law enforcement now,' one panicked responder can be heard shouting in disturbing audio recorded on Broadcastify. As crews took cover behind fire trucks, chaos erupted across the mountain. Hikers and bikers ran for their lives, while local and federal officers rushed to the scene. Nearly 300 personnel responded, working frantically to secure the area. By 3:15 p.m., authorities were able to trace the shooter's location via cellphone tracking. When SWAT teams arrived, Roley was found dead. Officials have not yet confirmed whether he was killed by law enforcement or took his own life. Motive Remains a Mystery Sheriff Bob Norris of Kootenai County called the event a 'premeditated ambush,' emphasizing that the fire crews were blindsided. 'These firefighters did not have a chance,' Norris said during a press conference. The sheriff's department has confirmed that the suspect used the fire to lure in responders, raising serious concerns about the deliberate targeting of emergency personnel. Governor Brad Little responded to the news with a statement on social media: '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.' Investigation Ongoing The fire, which tore through the mountainside, destroyed much of the physical evidence at the crime scene. However, authorities were able to recover the shooter's body before evacuating due to fire danger. The investigation is expected to resume Monday as officials sift through what remains. One firefighter who was critically wounded has since stabilized following emergency surgery, officials confirmed Monday morning. Death Penalty on the Table? While the shooter is confirmed dead, the gravity of the crime — a targeted attack on emergency workers — has prompted Idaho lawmakers to call for severe consequences in future cases. Some are already discussing expanding death penalty eligibility in attacks on first responders.

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