Police Identify Suspect and Victims in Deadly Coeur d’Alene Firefighter Ambush
Authorities have identified the suspect and victims in a fatal ambush on firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with family and a former roommate now speaking out. Kootenai County officials announced on Monday, June 30, 2025, that the suspect was 20-year-old Wess Val Roley, born May 1, 2005. Investigators believe Roley deliberately started a wildfire and then ambushed first responders as they arrived.
The attack, which unfolded on Sunday, June 29, resulted in the deaths of two senior fire officials: Frank Harwood, a battalion chief for Kootenai County Fire Rescue (KCFR), and John Morrison, a battalion chief for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department (CDFD). Another firefighter, Dave Tysdal, an engineer with CDFD, was critically injured and is recovering after two successful surgeries at Kootenai Health Hospital.
Harwood, a respected shift commander, served 17 years with KCFR, was a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, a farmer, and a father of two. Morrison, a deeply respected figure in the community, joined CDFD in 1996 and served over 28 years in various roles, including paramedic and captain.
The ambush was a pre-planned trap, luring first responders to the scene of a wildfire. Around 300 law enforcement personnel, including the FBI and Idaho National Guard, were involved in the response, with two helicopters carrying snipers deployed for assistance. At approximately 7:40 p.m., a SWAT team located Roley, deceased, on Canfield Mountain, with a firearm nearby. Authorities later concluded he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris stated that investigators believe Roley acted alone, based on evidence found, including a flint fire starter used to ignite the 26-acre blaze and the weapon used in the attack. The terrain made ground access difficult, but aerial support from the Idaho Department of Lands was effectively managing the fire.
As investigators search for a motive, Roley’s digital footprint provided some clues about his state of mind. While no manifesto was found and his social media accounts were wiped, officials shared a now-deleted Instagram story showing him in dark camouflage and a mask with Björk’s song “Hunter” playing. Hours before the ambush, he posted a final image in camouflage with a belt of rifle shells, featuring the lyrics “I’m going hunting.” Authorities are still investigating his vehicle for further evidence.
Witnesses and officials described erratic behavior from Roley. He had ties to California and Arizona and had been living in Idaho for most of 2024, although his reasons for being there remain unknown. A former roommate in Sandpoint, T.J. Franks Jr., noted that Roley, who worked for a tree service, began exhibiting unusual behavior, including throwing gang signs and shaving his long hair, indicating a “decline.” Authorities confirmed past non-criminal interactions with Roley, including trespassing and a welfare check, and believe he had been living out of his vehicle.
Roley’s family expressed shock and heartbreak. His grandfather, Dale Roley, mentioned Wess’s aspiration to be a firefighter and that he was actively pursuing it, and they had no reason to suspect his involvement in such an act. Court documents also revealed a troubled family history, including a 2015 divorce filing by his mother citing abuse and threats from her then-husband. Roley’s stepfather, Tony Cuchiara, released a statement conveying the family’s profound sorrow for the victims and their own loss.
Earlier reports detailed that firefighters responded to the brush fire around 1:30 p.m. local time on Canfield Mountain. Shortly after their arrival, unknown attackers opened fire from the wooded terrain, striking both fire and law enforcement personnel. A shelter-in-place order was issued, and a police helicopter could not land due to active gunfire and difficult terrain. Emergency radio transmissions painted a chaotic scene, with reports of “Two battalion chiefs down, two officers injured,” and urgent calls for multiple ambulances and a safe staging area.
The attack drew national attention. Edward A. Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, confirmed on X that IAFF members were targeted in a sniper attack. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Idaho Governor Brad Little also expressed their condolences and urged prayers for the victims, with Governor Little calling it a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
