Wes Roley Obituary-Death News; Suspected Idaho Sniper Wess ‘Riley’ Roley, Accused of Killing 2 Firefighters
Authorities in Idaho have identified Wess ‘Riley’ Roley as the primary suspect in a tragic and calculated ambush that left two firefighters dead and a third wounded while they were responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday afternoon.
The horrific attack, which law enforcement officials have described as a “total ambush,” has shocked the local community and sent ripples of grief across the nation.
The incident unfolded around 2 p.m. Sunday, shortly after fire crews were dispatched to combat a fast-moving blaze on Canfield Mountain. Authorities now believe the fire was deliberately set by Roley to lure first responders into a kill zone.
Once on scene, the firefighters were met not by flames alone, but by sniper fire from a hidden gunman, positioned in the mountain’s dense terrain. “This was a calculated and cowardly attack.
These firefighters did not have a chance,” Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said during a news conference Sunday evening. He added that law enforcement officials were under fire themselves as they worked to contain both the blaze and the active shooter threat.
The firefight culminated in the discovery of a body—believed to be Roley’s—by a SWAT team in a heavily wooded area on the mountain. A firearm was found nearby. Investigators were led to the location through a cellphone activation that helped them pinpoint his whereabouts.
Because of the wildfire’s continued spread, officers had limited time to recover evidence before being forced to evacuate the area. Sheriff Norris declined to offer further details about Roley, citing the ongoing investigation and the need for the county coroner to confirm the cause of death.
However, sources speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity confirmed Roley’s identity as the suspected sniper. Authorities have said they believe he acted alone.
As of Monday, the wildfire continued to burn, spreading to nearly 30 acres, further complicating the recovery of evidence and fueling additional concern among residents in the area.
During the siege, Kootenai County Emergency Management urged residents to shelter in place as police faced sniper fire while attempting to reach and neutralize the threat. That lockdown has since been lifted, but residents remain on edge.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Mark Lathrop, who lives a block away from the mountain. “Helicopters overhead, law enforcement everywhere. And to think that firefighters were called out there only to be gunned down—it’s unspeakable evil.”
The injured firefighter remains in stable condition following surgery, authorities said. The names of the two deceased firefighters have not yet been publicly released, pending family notification.
Federal and state agencies have mobilized to assist in the aftermath of the attack. The FBI, ATF, and fire investigators from Spokane, Portland, and Seattle have all deployed personnel to support the ongoing probe. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed via social media that tactical units had been deployed to assist in securing the area and aiding local authorities.
As investigators piece together Roley’s background and motive, the people of Coeur d’Alene and the wider firefighting community are left mourning an act of targeted violence that few could have anticipated. The loss of two brave first responders, killed while serving their community, has united residents in grief—and in resolve.
“These men were there to save lives,” Sheriff Norris said solemnly. “They were ambushed instead. We will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”
