Idaho taking pictures suspect recognized, motive for ambush of firefighters nonetheless unknown, sheriff says

The suspect who allegedly ambushed firefighters on the job in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, had contact and dialogue with first responders earlier than taking pictures at them with a shotgun, killing two of them and critically injuring a 3rd, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris mentioned. 

Fireplace officers on Monday recognized the deceased firefighters as Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52. The third firefighter who was critically injured, engineer Dave Tysdal, underwent two profitable surgical procedures on Monday, fireplace officers mentioned throughout a information convention.  

Throughout a separate information convention on Monday, Norris recognized the suspect as 20-year-old Wess Roley. His physique was discovered on the scene of the hearth late Sunday night time together with a firearm, the sheriff mentioned. Norris mentioned Monday that it appeared the suspect shot himself.

Because the Nettleton Gulch Fireplace continued to burn on Monday, the sheriff mentioned it is going to take days to completely course of the realm, however investigators have situated Roley’s automobile in an embankment close to the scene. He mentioned investigators haven’t but been capable of stock the automobile, which has “quite a lot of particles in there.” Individuals who have seen the automobile say it seems Roley was dwelling within the automobile, Norris mentioned. 

Norris mentioned authorities haven’t discovered any writings that might point out the suspect’s motive. 

The suspect beforehand had 5 “very minor” encounters with legislation enforcement however had no felony historical past, in response to the sheriff. The interactions with officers “needed to do extra with trespassing, he was requested to go away and [was] cooperative,” Norris mentioned. Different interactions included welfare checks reported by property homeowners about Roley’s automobile, the sheriff mentioned.

Authorities are additionally wanting by Roley’s social media presence for any clues to a doable motive. Norris mentioned investigators haven’t discovered any connection to “Islamic jihad,” disputing rumors spreading on social media.

“Now we have info that he, at one time, he wished to be a firefighter,” Norris mentioned, however added that investigators do not know if that has any connection to what occurred.

Victims recognized as Frank Harwood and John Morrison

Kootenai County Fireplace & Rescue Chief Christopher Manner mentioned at a information convention Monday that the households of Harwood and Morrison and the firefighting neighborhood as an entire are coping with “unimaginable loss.”

Battalion chief Harwood had been a member of the division for 17 years, Manner mentioned. Harwood was additionally a well-respected former Military Nationwide Guard member, Manner mentioned. He’s survived by his spouse and two kids. 

“This loss is felt by so many, together with the entire members of his shift that labored and noticed the incident yesterday,” Manner mentioned.

Morrison had been a firefighter since 1996, Manner mentioned, including that he had served town of Coeur d’Alene for over 28 and a half years. Manner mentioned he had the chance to work with Morrison two weeks earlier than he was killed, and so they had a “uncommon second” to speak.

“We talked about being higher fathers. We talked about being higher leaders. We talked about being higher firefighters,” he mentioned.

After the ambush taking pictures, Manner mentioned native legislation enforcement businesses at the moment are occurring each name with the hearth division.

“I do not know that we’re ever going to have the ability to assure individuals’s peace of thoughts, at the very least for some time after an incident like this,” he mentioned. “However we’re taking each measure we will to make sure security.”

Suspect lured firefighters by sparking fireplace, sheriff says

The firefighters have been responding to a wildfire Sunday afternoon in a well-liked recreation space at Canfield Mountain when Roley started firing at them, Norris mentioned. The sheriff mentioned investigators imagine the suspect used a flint starter to begin the hearth to lure the firefighters there. 

“And we do imagine that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters didn’t have an opportunity,” Norris mentioned Sunday.

Investigators initially believed there may need been a couple of sniper, as a result of early experiences from first responders, however now say the proof signifies it was Roley armed with a shotgun. 

“We all know that there was a shotgun used, completely, 100%, we all know that for positive,” Norris mentioned Monday, noting that rifled slugs have been recovered from the scene. He mentioned smaller fragments have been additionally discovered within the space, and the scene continues to be being processed.

Suspect’s grandfather describes him as “just about a traditional child”

In line with a Fb submit by his mom, Roley moved from Arizona to Idaho when he turned 18 in 2023 to work for his father’s tree-cutting firm. In an replace shared in October 2024, his mom wrote he was “doing nice dwelling in Idaho.”

In a cellphone interview with CBS Information, his paternal grandfather, Dale Roley, described Wess as “just about a traditional child.” He mentioned his grandson had not too long ago misplaced his cellphone and didn’t have a “high-powered rifle.”

“He had a .22 lengthy rifle and a shotgun,” he mentioned. “That is not a high-powered rifle by any stretch. We’re simply hoping there’s some bizarre circumstances and Wess wasn’t truly concerned.”

Dale Roley confirmed that Wess had labored for his father’s tree firm, however extra not too long ago was working at a distinct tree firm in Coeur d’Alene. He mentioned his grandson “wished to be a fireman” and utilized for a job with the forestry service 4 or 5 months in the past.

In a press release supplied by their lawyer, Wess Roley’s household supplied its condolences to the households of the firefighters who have been killed and to the Coeur d’Alene neighborhood.

“There aren’t any phrases that may suffice for this tragedy and the infinite losses suffered by these affected by this taking pictures,” the household mentioned within the assertion. “We don’t perceive why this occurred or how this happened. Our hearts and spirits are damaged for the misplaced and hurting, and for our personal loss as nicely. We intend to completely cooperate with authorities in looking for solutions. As we additionally take care of the grief of this heinous tragedy in our circle of relatives, we is not going to be answering any questions outdoors of legislation enforcement.”

As of Monday afternoon, the Nettleton Gulch Fireplace has unfold to roughly 26 acres, the Idaho Division of Lands mentioned in a press release. No evacuations have been ordered and no constructions are in danger, the company mentioned.

Jordan Freiman,

Brian Dakss and

Hannah Fraser-Chanpong

contributed to this report.