Why Did Wess Roley Kill Two Firefighters?

The Incident: Fire, Gunshots, and a Calculated Trap

On the afternoon of June 29, 2025, a seemingly routine brush fire call on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, turned into a fatal ambush. Responding fire crews walked directly into the line of fire—literally.

Wess Val Roley, 20, allegedly set the fire himself, then hid nearby with a 12-gauge shotgun. As the firefighters arrived, he opened fire, killing two chiefs and injuring a third.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris called it a “premeditated ambush.” Investigators later found Roley's body in the woods, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, the weapon beside him.

Read more: Coeur d’Alene Shooting: 2 Firefighters Killed, Idaho Shooter Refuses to Surrender, Civilians Trapped

Wess Roley allegedly set a fire to lure firefighters before killing two and was later found dead with a gun.

What Really Happened: Timeline of the Coeur d’Alene Shooting

The Victims: Two Chiefs Killed, One Firefighter Injured

Killed in Action:

• Frank Harwood, 42 — Chief, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue

• John Morrison, 52 — Battalion Chief, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department

Injured:

• David Tysdal, 47 — Engineer, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department
  Tysdal sustained multiple gunshot wounds, underwent two surgeries, and is recovering.

These were not just victims—they were leaders and mentors in the firefighting community.

Who Was Wess Roley?

A Quiet Young Man with a Love for Firefighters

Roley wasn’t a criminal or known extremist. In fact, his grandfather, Dale Roley, told media that Wess once dreamed of being a firefighter.

“He really respected law enforcement. He loved firefighters,” Dale said. “He wanted to be part of that team.”

Roley had recently contacted fire departments about employment. The family speculates he may have been rejected, possibly due to his 5'8" height—a trivial reason, but perhaps significant to him.

Lost Connection and Signs of Isolation

• Wess had lost his phone and hadn’t contacted family in over a month.

• He was reportedly living out of his vehicle in the Coeur d’Alene area.

• He was known to be friendly but “verbally aggressive” under stress, according to ex-roommates.

Strange Online Behavior

A deleted Instagram story posted before the shooting showed Roley in camouflage with the haunting track “Hunter” by Björk in the background.

His TikTok profile reportedly included:

• A bizarre claim about selling organs on the black market

• A chilling bio: “My Tik is to make fear.”

These don’t prove motive, but they reveal mental instability and a descent into dangerous fantasy.

What Was the Motive?

What We Know:

• Roley intentionally set the fire.

• He used the blaze to lure in first responders.

• He hid in an elevated position, likely in a tree, and opened fire from above.

• No evidence of political or ideological motives has emerged.

• No suicide note, manifesto, or journal found (yet).

Working Theories:

1. Rejection and Resentment
   Roley may have idealized firefighters and wanted to join, but faced rejection, triggering feelings of inadequacy or betrayal.

2. Psychological Decline
   His isolated living conditions, lack of support, and bizarre online presence point to potential mental health issues.

3. Desire for Recognition
   Some speculate the attack may have been a twisted way to “be remembered” or assert power after being ignored or dismissed by institutions he admired.

Two people were killed and several others injured when firefighters responded to a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene

A Disturbing Trend: Violence Against First Responders

This attack echoes rare but harrowing past incidents:

• 2012, Webster, New York: A man set a fire and ambushed firefighters with a rifle, killing two.

• 2024, California: A paramedic was shot while responding to an overdose call.

These are not isolated events. Firefighters and EMTs are increasingly vulnerable—not just to flames or injury, but premeditated violence.

The Aftermath: Grief, Questions, and Tributes

Statewide Mourning

Governor Brad Little called the attack “evil” and ordered flags at half-staff.

Processions, vigils, and tribute events have spread across Idaho:

• Residents lined overpasses waving American flags.

• Fire departments from across the Pacific Northwest sent support.

Roley Family Speaks Out

In a statement via their attorney, the Roley family offered condolences:

“There are no words that can suffice for this tragedy... We do not understand why this happened or how this came about.”

The tone is one of grief—and genuine confusion.

The Broader Picture

Mental Health Gaps

Roley’s actions spotlight the danger of untreated mental illness, especially among young, isolated men. He had no criminal history. No prior violence. No known enemies.

But he slipped off the radar—and into darkness.

Social Media as a Red Flag

Posts like “I sell organs” and “make fear” don’t just show weirdness—they signal breakdown.

Platforms must balance freedom with flagging potentially violent behavior—especially when posted right before an attack.

Are Firefighters Safe Anymore?

This ambush changes the calculus. Fire crews now face:

• The risk of targeted traps

• The need for armed escorts in dangerous zones

• The psychological toll of watching colleagues die on duty

Conclusion: What Drives a Firefighter Admirer to Murder?

Wess Roley didn’t hate firefighters. He idolized them.
He didn’t seek chaos. He created a ritual: fire, camouflage, elevation, music, death.

In the void between aspiration and rejection, between reality and fantasy, something broke. A young man who once wanted to help people became a killer.

The Coeur d’Alene tragedy isn’t just a case file. It’s a warning:

• That even those who admire the system can turn on it if shut out, unsupported, or unstable.

• That first responders need protection, not just from wildfires—but from ambush.

• That we must take mental health seriously, before admiration curdles into violence.

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