Two Coeur d'Alene area firefighters killed in shooting

COEUR d’ALENE — Two local firefighters died and a third was injured in a shooting Sunday.

The suspect was identified by authorities as Wess Roley, 20, who was found dead on the mountain later.

He is believed to have intentionally set a fire on Canfield Mountain and then fired upon firefighters shortly after they arrived at the dirt parking lot area of Nettleton Gulch Road.

According to media reports, Roley recently lived in Phoenix and had been living out of his vehicle.

The Press learned Rthat oley may have ties to Bonner County. His grandfather, Dale Roley, told KXLY-TV that his grandson liked to hike, worked for a tree company and was interested in forestry.

There was no indication of a motive for the shootings.  

“This was a total ambush,” Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said during a Sunday night news conference in Hayden. “These firefighters did not have a chance.” 

"Send law enforcement right now. There's an active shooter zone," the firefighter said, urgency in his voice.

He said two firefighters were down.

"Everybody is shot up here. Law enforcement, now, up here."

The firefighter said he was pinned down behind a fire rig.

"It's clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in," he said.

Fire crews responded around 1:30 p.m. Sunday to a wildfire on the east side of Canfield Mountain. Soon after they arrived, police said, they came under fire. 

While authorities declined to release the identities of the two slain firefighters Sunday night, Norris confirmed that one was a part of the Coeur d’Alene Department and the other was part of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. 

A third firefighter, also part of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, was injured in the attack and underwent surgery. 

“He is fighting for his life, but he is in stable condition,” Norris said. 

No other injuries were reported. 

Gov. Brad Little called the shootings "a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

Idaho House Republican Leadership posted this statement: “We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues.”

Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo on Monday morning delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor on the tragic events in Coeur d’Alene. The senators led a moment of silence to remember the victims and honor the service of Idaho’s first responders. 

"Two of North Idaho's brave firefighters were ambushed and murdered and one is in serious to critical condition," Risch said. "This evil attack on the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities is despicable and it's not Idaho."

Risch asked his colleagues to join him, Crapo and all Idahoans "in praying for the victims, their loved ones and all who have been affected by this reprehensible act."

Multiple law enforcement agencies totaling around 300 officers, including federal authorities, responded to the area and staged at Cherry Hill Park and Nettle Gulch Road while police established a 17,000-square-foot containment area. The county’s resources were soon exhausted, Norris said, but other agencies stepped up, providing helicopters, snipers and other resources. 

“Our federal partners assisted us in this situation,” Norris said. 

Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect and later used cell phone data to hone in on a wooded area where they found the suspect’s body. A firearm was found nearby, though Norris declined to identify the specific weapon and said it’s likely that investigators will recover more weapons when they return to the scene Monday morning. 

A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night.

Pete Holley, deputy chief of operations for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, said the firefighters could never have anticipated the attack they faced while responding to a grass fire. 

“This is something that we don’t train for,” he said. “It’s not something we expect. It’s not something our firefighters should have to deal with.” 

While the suspected shooter was at large, fire crews were unable to access the blaze. 

The Nettleton Gulch fire is currently about 26 acres. Sunday night, crews were able to establish hand lines on two-thirds of the west flank. The fire is burning in timber, a press release said.

Today, firefighters will continue building a fire line to minimize fire growth and installing hose lays to deliver water to the fire, the release said. There are no evacuations and no structures at risk.

There are multiple engines working the fire, two water tenders, two 20-person hand crews and both rotor and fixed wing aircraft assisting with waterdrops. Due to the steep terrain, the use of heavy equipment is limited.

"Our priority is public firefighter safety," the release said. "Temporary Flight Restriction is in place and remains in effect over the Canfield Mountain area."

The KCSO issued the following statement Monday afternoon:

"Following the outpouring of support from our community members and local businesses, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood by our fellow First Responders and us during this difficult time. Your kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support mean more than words can express. Together, we remain committed to serving and protecting our community with strength and integrity."

    A Coeur d'Alene police officer responds to Cherry Hill Park near Canfield Mountain on Sunday after two firefighters were shot and killed.
  

    An FBI agent prepares to help with the response on Canfield Mountain on Sunday.

    Emergency responders stage at Cherry Hill Park next to Canfield Mountain on Sunday.
  

  A Coeur d'Alene police officer responds to Cherry Hill Park near Canfield Mountain on Sunday after two firefighters were shot and killed.
  

  An FBI agent prepares to help with the response on Canfield Mountain on Sunday.

  Emergency responders stage at Cherry Hill Park next to Canfield Mountain on Sunday.