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(NewsNation) — The gunman accused of fatally shooting two firefighters and wounding a third while they responded to a wildfire in Idaho has been identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris offered new details about the Sunday ambush at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene, a popular recreation area. He said Wess Roley was living out of his vehicle, had once aspired to be a firefighter and had only a handful of minor contacts with area police.
“We have not been able to find a manifesto,” the sheriff said, adding a motive was still unknown.
Norris said families of the victims are “in shock — absolutely. They’re in shock and they’re still processing it.”
Roley had set a fire using flint, and the firefighters who rushed to the scene instead found themselves in an unexpected shootout. They took cover behind fire trucks, but two died and a third was wounded during a barrage of gunfire over several hours.
Authorities confirmed they had interacted with Roley five times in the past, some over minor issues, Nexstar’s NewsNation reports. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said his investigators didn’t find a criminal history tied to Roley, adding, “we do have some social media presence.”
Authorities said they believe Roley deliberately set the wildfire on Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene to lure first responders to the scene. The shooting began around 2 p.m. Sunday, roughly 30 minutes after crews responded to the fire call, Norris said.
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A line of wildland firefighters arrive at the scene the day after a shooter ambushed and killed multiple firefighters responding to a wildfire at Canfield Mountain Monday, June 30, 2025, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) -
A firefighter with the United States Forest Service prepares gear at a staging area near the scene the day after a shooter ambushed and killed multiple firefighters responding to a wildfire at Canfield Mountain Monday, June 30, 2025, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) -
Two firefighters were killed and another was badly injured after they were ambushed and shot while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. (AP Digital Embed) -
A procession from Kootenai Health heads to the medical examiner’s office in Spokane, Wash., after firefighters were killed Sunday, June 29, 2025, when they were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. (Bill Buley/Coeur D’Alene Press via AP) -
Law enforcement and emergency responders at Cherry Hill Park off 15th Street on Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2025, following reports of an ambush shooting attack on Canfield Mountain, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. (Bill Buley/Coeur D’Alene Press via AP) -
A firefighting helicopter flies over the scene of a wildfire the day after a shooter ambushed and killed multiple firefighters responding to the wildfire at Canfield Mountain Monday, June 30, 2025, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The suspect appeared to be hiding in rugged terrain and used a high-powered rifle, and officials said they believe he acted alone.
Roley’s body was recovered from the scene as the blaze began to spread across the mountain. Norris said his department plans to return to where the body was found, with a firearm nearby, to look for additional evidence.
Norris said Roley is believed to have killed himself.
“We know that he was a transient here,” the sheriff said. “We know he lived here for the better part of 2024. But as far as when he got here, why he was here, why he chose this place — I don’t know.”
The identities of the two slain firefighters have not yet been released. The third firefighter, who was injured, underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition Sunday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
