The Face Behind The Tragedy: Who Is Wess Roley?
The man accused of setting a wildfire and then coldly gunning down two Idaho firefighters has officially been identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley.
According to an internal source speaking with TMZ, Roley’s remains were not processed locally at the Kootenai County Coroner’s Office. Instead, due to jurisdictional boundaries, his body was transferred to the Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office in Washington. That’s the agency that typically handles cross-border cases from Kootenai County.
Two Fatalities Reported as Firefighters Are Shot While Responding to Fire Near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
The news follows Hollywood Unlocked’s coverage of the Two Fatalities Reported As Firefighters Are Shot Near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho which initially broke the story. The shocking nature of this incident has left both residents and emergency crews shaken.
But now, things are getting even darker.
Sniper-Style Setup: Roley Allegedly Lured Firefighters Into a Trap
TMZ reports that Roley may have purposefully ignited the forest fire on Canfield Mountain just to set up a deadly ambush. Once crews responded to put out the flames, shots rang out in what authorities are calling a “sniper-style attack.”
Law enforcement swarmed the woods, and nearly 300 officers joined the manhunt. During the chaotic shootout, Roley’s body was eventually discovered. Officials say his phone signal is what gave away his final location deep in the forest.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris later confirmed that Roley was found deceased at the scene. But there’s still a big question that hangs heavy in the air — was he killed by police bullets, or did he turn the gun on himself?
No autopsy report has been released yet, and the truth about his final moments is still unknown.
What Drove Him? Investigators Still Have No Motive
Perhaps the most chilling part of this entire tragedy — no one knows why it happened.
There’s no manifesto. No social media rants. No background of political extremism, gang ties, or personal vendettas have come to light — at least not yet.
“He came out of nowhere,” one investigator reportedly said. “There’s no clear reason behind the attack, and that’s what makes this even more terrifying.”
In the days since the shooting, a photo of Roley has surfaced — one taken from a government-issued ID. It shows him staring directly at the camera with a cold, soulless expression. That image is now burned into the minds of a community asking: who was this man?
Third Firefighter Still Fights For His Life
While two brave souls tragically lost their lives in the ambush, a third firefighter remains in critical condition.
Officials haven’t released that firefighter’s name yet out of respect for the family. But prayers and support have been pouring in from across the country. Idaho’s tight-knit firefighting community is rallying around the survivor and honoring those lost in the line of duty.