Idaho Firefighter Ambush: Suspect Identified Amid Ongoing Investigation

In a shocking incident, officials have identified Wess Roley, a 20-year-old, as the sniper responsible for an ambush on firefighters responding to a blaze in Idaho. The attack resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and left one in critical condition.

In a tragic turn of events, police have named 20-year-old Wess Roley as the suspect behind the ambush shooting of firefighters in Idaho. According to reports from CBS News, the attack occurred while firefighters were responding to a fire at Canfield Mountain, located near Coeur d'Alene. The incident unfolded on Sunday, leading to the deaths of two courageous firefighters and the injury of a third.

Authorities believe Roley intentionally set the fire to draw first responders into an ambush. Following the shooting, a police tactical team located a deceased male in the vicinity, presumed to be Roley, although the circumstances surrounding his death remain ambiguous.

Sheriff Bob Norris addressed the media, confirming the grim nature of the incident, stating, "This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance." One firefighter from Coeur d'Alene and another from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue lost their lives in the shooting, while a third firefighter remains in stable but critical condition.

The fire, which expanded to 20 acres within hours, was initially reported around 1:21 PM PST. Reports of gunfire followed approximately 40 minutes later, as firefighters were targeted by a high-powered sporting rifle in what authorities first feared might involve multiple shooters.

A large-scale response included over 300 law enforcement personnel from various agencies, along with helicopters equipped with sharpshooters. After an extended barrage of gunfire, Roley's location was determined through mobile phone data. Investigators are still working to clarify whether the suspect died by self-inflicted wounds or from police fire, as a thorough investigation into the tragic ambush continues.