COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho, June 30 – A tragic and deeply disturbing event unfolded on Sunday in western Idaho, where two firefighters lost their lives and a third was critically injured in what authorities are calling a planned ambush. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley, was found dead at the scene following a tense confrontation with law enforcement.
The incident began when emergency crews were dispatched to a wildfire that had broken out along a popular trail on Canfield Mountain, a well-known destination for hikers and cyclists near the Washington state border. Firefighters arriving on the scene were met not just with flames, but also with gunfire—an ambush that stunned even the most seasoned responders.
Authorities believe the fire had been deliberately set to lure first responders into a trap. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, speaking at a press conference Monday, confirmed the identity of the shooter and shared new details about the incident. According to Norris, Roley, a California native who had been living in the Coeur d’Alene area for the past year, perched himself in a tree and opened fire on the firefighters soon after they arrived.
The two victims who lost their lives have been identified as Frank Harwood, 42, a battalion chief with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, a battalion chief with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department. Harwood, a father of two and a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, had served his department for 17 years. Morrison brought 28 years of service to his department and was widely respected among his peers.
The third firefighter, 47-year-old Dave Tysdal, an engineer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. According to city Fire Chief Thomas Greif, Tysdal has undergone two surgeries and remains in intensive care. His condition is being closely monitored.
Sheriff Norris stated that Roley had some sort of contact with all three firefighters before the attack, though details remain unclear. Fire Chief Christopher Way described the initial encounter as “minimal,” but emphasized the calculated nature of the violence, stating that the firefighters were “attacked and ambushed — they never had a chance.”
Investigators later confirmed that Roley died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A shotgun was recovered near his body, but authorities are still searching for other weapons that may have been used during the attack.
As flames continued to burn across Canfield Mountain, fire crews remained on the ground, working to contain the blaze amid difficult terrain and the lingering danger of additional threats. The area, typically a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts, has now become the site of one of the most shocking incidents in recent memory for the Coeur d’Alene community.
Authorities have been piecing together Roley’s background to better understand what might have led to such a horrific act. Sheriff Norris described him as a “transient” with family ties to the region. Though he had no known criminal record, Roley had been involved in five minor incidents with local law enforcement, including trespassing. These interactions, according to Norris, did not raise any significant red flags at the time.
Interestingly, Roley was known to have expressed interest in becoming a firefighter himself. However, local fire officials said there is no evidence he ever formally applied or made any direct inquiries to fire departments.
Sunday’s attack not only shocked the fire service community but also brought together multiple levels of law enforcement in an urgent, coordinated response. Officers from the city, county, state, and federal levels arrived on the scene, along with two helicopters carrying trained snipers. Roley’s location was eventually pinpointed through cellphone data, and a tactical team was able to recover his body before the encroaching fire reached his position.
Sheriff Norris emphasized that while many questions remain unanswered, the investigation is ongoing, and every effort is being made to determine what drove Roley to orchestrate such a devastating act.
“This was a senseless and cowardly act,” Norris said. “These firefighters were doing their jobs, protecting the community, and they were met with unimaginable violence. Our thoughts are with their families, their colleagues, and the entire firefighting community.”
As Idaho mourns the loss of two dedicated public servants, community members have begun leaving flowers and messages of support at local fire stations. A memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming days to honor Harwood and Morrison for their years of service and sacrifice.