Authorities in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, have identified 20-year-old Wess Val Roley as the suspect in a deadly ambush that targeted first responders. Investigators say Roley intentionally started a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, then opened fire on firefighters as they arrived. Two senior officials, Frank Harwood and John Morrison, were killed, and firefighter Dave Tysdal remains in critical condition after multiple surgeries. Officials believe the act was deliberate and planned.
Harwood, a 17-year veteran of Kootenai County Fire Rescue and U.S. Army National Guard member, and Morrison, who served 28 years with Coeur d’Alene Fire, were widely respected in their communities. Their sudden loss has deeply impacted local emergency services and fellow responders across the region.
The ambush, which occurred on June 29, sparked a large-scale response involving about 300 personnel, including FBI agents and National Guard troops. Later that day, Roley was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A firearm and fire-starting device were found nearby, confirming suspicions that the wildfire was used to lure firefighters into danger.
Roley, originally from California and Arizona, had been living in Idaho during 2024. Former acquaintances noted his increasingly unstable behavior, and family members shared that he once aspired to be a firefighter. The fire burned 26 acres and led to evacuations. The FBI is continuing its investigation, as officials and leaders nationwide denounce the attack as a devastating and senseless tragedy.
