Coeur d'Alene Firefighter Ambush: Analysis of Sunday’s Incident
The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, a male acting alone, was found deceased after a shootout with police, with a firearm nearby as flames approached.
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Sunday, June 29, 2025 — On Sunday, a suspect intentionally set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and ambushed responding firefighters with a high-powered rifle, killing two and wounding one.
The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, a male acting alone, was found deceased after a shootout with police, with a firearm nearby as flames approached. Named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, the blaze reached 28 acres on Monday, with firefighting efforts delayed due to the attack.
The FBI and ATF are investigating, with no motive disclosed. Official statements emphasize the deliberate nature of the assault, highlighting vulnerabilities in rural emergency response. Sheriff Bob Norris noted the firefighters had no chance, indicating a premeditated ambush.
