VITAL NEWS UPDATE: In a stunning development, authorities revealed bombshell new details about the individual who attacked unsuspecting first responders.
20-year-old Wess Roley intentionally set a wildfire to ambush and murder firefighters responding to the scene in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Identified by authorities as the shooter, Roley killed two firefighters and wounded another in the attack before being found dead near a sniper rifle.
The carefully planned assault on first responders reveals yet another shocking example of targeted violence against those who protect American communities.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that Roley intentionally started the brush fire on Canfield Mountain as a deadly trap.
When firefighters arrived to battle the growing blaze, they were met with gunfire from an elevated position, catching them completely off guard.
“This was a total ambush,” said Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris. “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
Audio recordings from the scene captured the panic as the situation unfolded.
“We have another Coeur d’Alene firefighter down… we’ve got two unresponsive battalion chiefs down, multiple gunshot wounds, two Coeur d’Alene are down… I’m pinned down,” one caller reported desperately.
Another responder clearly identified the deliberate nature of the attack: “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”
Two battalion chiefs, one from Coeur d’Alene and another from Kootenai County, lost their lives in the attack.
A third firefighter was severely wounded and remains in stable but critical condition after undergoing surgery. The identities of the fallen heroes have not yet been released to the public.
The attack prompted an immediate and massive response from about 300 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.
After several hours of searching, authorities located Roley’s body next to what they believe was the sniper rifle used in the ambush.
Officials have not clarified whether Roley died by suicide or during an exchange with law enforcement.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters. They answered the call to protect others and paid the ultimate price.”
The wildfire that Roley started burned around 15-20 acres before firefighting efforts resumed.
Residents in the area were under a shelter-in-place order during the manhunt, which has since been lifted, though they are advised to stay informed about the fire situation.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have joined the investigation.
The ATF is currently tracing the weapon used in the attack as investigators work to determine Roley’s motive for targeting these first responders.
This targeted attack on firefighters comes amid growing concerns about violence against first responders and law enforcement nationwide.
While investigations continue, communities across Idaho and the nation are mourning the loss of these brave public servants who made the ultimate sacrifice while simply doing their duty to protect the public.
