
A 20-year-old man ambushed and killed two veteran firefighters during a response to a deliberately lit wildfire on Canfield Mountain, then died by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, triggering statewide grief and calls for answers.
At a Glance
- Two battalion chiefs—John Morrison (52) and Frank Harwood (42)—were shot dead during the ambush.
- A third firefighter, Dave Tysdal (47), was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
- Suspect Wess Roley set the fire using a flint starter to lure responders.
- Roley was found dead near his shotgun with an apparent self-inflicted wound.
- His motive remains unclear; authorities are reviewing social media and past history.
Firefighter Ambush Amid Smoke and Bullet Fire
Fire crews responded to a brush fire at Canfield Mountain on June 29 when they were met with gunfire, according to Coeur d’Alene-area officials. The firefighters had briefly confronted a man—later identified as Wess Roley—about his vehicle placement before shots rang out. The blaze, allegedly started by Roley using a flint, was a trap intended to lure and kill first responders.
Two firefighters—Battalion Chief John Morrison of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue—were killed. Engineer Dave Tysdal was critically wounded and remains hospitalized.
Roley’s body was later discovered near the scene with a shotgun. Authorities confirmed he died from an apparent self-inflicted wound, ending a manhunt that had triggered a massive law enforcement deployment across the region.
Watch a report: Suspect in deadly Idaho firefighter ambush identified.
Who Was Wess Roley? Background of a Tragedy
According to family and police accounts, Roley lived out of his car and had no serious criminal history—only minor incidents such as welfare checks and trespassing. He had once expressed admiration for firefighters and worked with his father in tree-cutting, where he developed climbing skills.
Hours before the ambush, Roley posted a chilling image of himself in camouflage and face paint holding a firearm, soundtracked to Björk’s “Hunter.” The image, circulated widely online, was later verified by law enforcement. A relative described a sharp behavioral shift in the days before the attack, including shaving his head and withdrawing socially (The Daily Beast).
No manifesto or ideological affiliation has been found. Investigators are combing through Roley’s digital records, text logs, and online behavior for clues to his intent.
Statewide Shock Triggers Mourning and Safety Measures
Governor Brad Little ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Morrison and Harwood, both remembered as decorated, long-serving battalion chiefs. Community vigils and flag-lined highways marked a solemn procession through northern Idaho (The Guardian).
The wildfire burned over 26 acres before being contained. During the manhunt, more than 300 officers and aerial units were deployed to locate Roley. In the aftermath, local agencies instituted new protocols mandating law enforcement escorts for all fire responses.
While the motive remains unclear, officials emphasized that there is no current indication of a broader threat or organized ideology. The investigation remains ongoing as the community demands answers—and justice.