NEWS UPDATE: In the aftermath of a calculated attack on America’s first responders, authorities were able to piece together key information about a vicious killer.
20-year-old Wess Roley has now been identified as the suspect who ambushed and killed two firefighters in Idaho.
The disturbing assault was carefully planned: Roley intentionally set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain to lure firefighters into his deadly trap.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s office received a call about the fire, with reports of shots fired at firefighters coming shortly afterward.
Audio from the scene revealed the desperate situation as it unfolded, with one firefighter calling in an “emergency situation” with an “active shooter at a fire.”
The attack claimed the lives of two brave firefighters, one from Coeur d’Alene and another from Kootenai County, while a third responder was seriously injured.
The injured firefighter underwent surgery and remains in stable but critical condition.
Tragically, the firefighters had no chance to defend themselves as they focused on battling the blaze that had been set specifically to draw them in.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed the premeditated nature of the attack, stating: “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
“It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,” reported one firefighter at the scene, revealing the calculated nature of the trap.
The attack prompted a massive response from about 300 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.
After several hours of searching, authorities located Roley’s body near a sniper rifle believed to have been used in the ambush.
Investigators were able to track his location using a cellphone signal. It remains unclear whether Roley died by suicide or during an exchange with authorities.
The wildfire, which burned around 15-20 acres, forced authorities to temporarily halt firefighting efforts during the search for the shooter.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the area but has since been lifted, though residents are advised to stay updated on the fire situation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is currently tracing the weapon used in the attack, while the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have joined the investigation.
Evidence suggests Roley acted alone, but authorities are continuing to investigate potential motives for this heinous crime against first responders.
“They answered the call to protect others and paid the ultimate price,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little, who condemned the attack as “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
The identities of the deceased firefighters have not yet been released as officials work to notify their families.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the nation’s first responders who put their lives on the line every day to protect American communities and families.
