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Idaho Firefighters Ambushed: Two Killed in Shocking Shootout
Coeur d’Alene, ID – In a devastating turn of events, two Idaho firefighters were killed and a third was wounded in an ambush on Monday while responding to a wildfire in a northern Idaho mountain community. The incident unfolded on Canfield mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, as first responders arrived to combat the blaze.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as Wess Roley. Authorities believe Roley intentionally started the fire and then opened fire on the firefighters after they asked him to move his vehicle.
details of the Firefighter Shooting Incident
Sheriff Bob Norris stated that the firefighters were caught in a barrage of gunfire, forcing them to take cover behind their trucks. Despite their efforts, two firefighters succumbed to their injuries, and a third underwent surgery and was in stable condition but “fighting for his life.”
urgent dispatches from the scene revealed the chaos: “Everybody’s shot up here… send law enforcement now.”
The Manhunt and Aftermath
Law enforcement launched a massive manhunt, deploying helicopters with snipers and utilizing FBI cellphone data to track Roley. A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents as authorities searched the area.
Roley was later found dead in the mountains, his firearm nearby. Sheriff Norris believes the suspect died by suicide.
“We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,” sheriff Norris confirmed at a news conference.
Community Response and Support
The city of Coeur d’Alene, population 55,000, has rallied to support the fallen firefighters and their families.A procession was held as the bodies of the deceased were transported to the medical examiner’s office in Spokane, Washington, with community members lining Interstate 90, waving American flags.
Governor Brad Little has ordered all U.S. and Idaho state flags to be flown at half-staff until the day after the memorial service.
“All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger on a daily basis, but we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this on our firefighters before,” Governor Little said in a statement.
canfield Mountain: A Place of Recreation and Risk
Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking destination with dense vegetation and numerous trails, is now a somber scene. The area’s natural beauty is juxtaposed with the reality of the dangers faced by first responders.
Bruce Deming, a local resident whose property borders the trail system, noted the ever-present concern of fire in the region. He initially wondered why firefighting helicopters were absent, later realizing the danger posed by the shooter.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Ambush on firefighters responding to wildfire |
| Location |
