() The gunman accused of fatally shooting two firefighters and wounding a third while they responded to a wildfire in Idaho has been identified.
The suspect has been identified as Wess Roley, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press on Monday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris declined to release further details about Roley, including his age, occupation or a possible motive, and said the county coroner would determine the cause of his death.
Authorities said they believe Roley deliberately set the wildfire on Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene to lure first responders to the scene. The shooting began around 2 p.m. Sunday, roughly 30 minutes after crews responded to the fire call, Norris said.
The suspect appeared to be hiding in rugged terrain and used a high-powered rifle, and officials said they believe he acted alone.
Roley’s body was recovered from the scene as the blaze began to spread across the mountain. Norris said his department plans to return to where the body was found, with a firearm nearby, to look for additional evidence.
The identities of the two slain firefighters have not yet been released. The third firefighter, who was injured, underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition Sunday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
