THE suspected arsonist and shooter who attacked and killed Idaho firefighters on Sunday has been identified.
A suspect initiated an ambush in the mountains of northern Idaho by igniting a fire and then targeting first responders with a high-powered sniper rifle, resulting in two deaths and one injury.
According to a law enforcement source who wished to remain anonymous due to the ongoing investigation, the shooter has been identified as Wess Roley, as reported by The Associated Press.
His identity hasn’t been publicly confirmed, and The U.S. Sun has reached out to local law enforcement for more information.
The tragedy unfolded at around 1:30 pm when first responders got calls that a fire had broken out on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene.
Around 30 minutes later, after firefighters had arrived, a sniper started firing shots.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that first responders, in a desperate attempt to find cover, hid behind their vehicles and called for backup while the suspect moved stealthily through the dense forested area.
Hikers and bikers desperately ran from the chaotic scene as a horde of 300 federal, state, and local officials flooded the mountainside.
At around 3:15 pm, the suspect was finally located through a cellphone signal, and SWAT teams found him dead on arrival.
It’s unclear how he died or whether he turned a gun on himself.
Hours after the shooter was stopped, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris described the attack as an intentional ambush meant to target the crews.
“These firefighters did not have a chance,” he said at a press conference.
Lawmakers shared their shock and horror at the attack and vowed to deliver justice after the dust settled.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Idaho Governor Brad Little wrote on X.
“I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
SHOOTING HORROR
The injured crewmember was in critical condition, but is now stable after getting emergency surgery.
Horrifying radio captured the firefighters making a desperate call for help as they tried to dodge the bullets.
“Everybody’s shot up here,” cried one first responder in the audio streamed on Broadcastify.
“Send law enforcement now.”
The wildfire destroyed all evidence at the shooting scene, but officials were able to grab the suspect’s body before fleeing for safety.
They planned to continue their investigation on Monday.
The gunman’s motive remains unclear.
