The man suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and seriously injuring a third after deliberately starting a fire along a well-known trail in Idaho has been identified as Wess Roley, a 20-year-old described as a drifter. Officials stated Monday (June 30) that his motive remains unknown. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed that Roley was found critically wounded at the scene on Sunday following a shootout with law enforcement. He had positioned himself in a tree during the exchange. Investigators concluded that Roley died by suicide.

The victims killed in the ambush were Frank Harwood, 42, a battalion chief with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, a battalion chief from the Coeur d'Alene city Fire Department. Harwood, a husband, father of two, and Army National Guard veteran, had served 17 years, while Morrison had 28 years of service. The third victim, 47-year-old Dave Tysdal, an engineer with Coeur d'Alene Fire, remains in critical condition after two surgeries, according to Fire Chief Thomas Greif.

Sheriff Norris said Roley interacted with all three firefighters shortly after they arrived at the scene of the fire, but no further details were provided. County Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way described the contact as minimal and said the firefighters were "ambushed" with no chance to defend themselves. A shotgun was found near Roley's body, though authorities are still searching for any additional weapons he may have used. Fire crews continued working to contain the blaze on Canfield Mountain, a popular outdoor area near Coeur d'Alene, close to the Washington state border. Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set to lure first responders into an ambush, though Roley's motive remains a mystery.

Roley, originally from California and described as a transient, had been living in Coeur d'Alene for about a year, possibly in his vehicle. He reportedly showed interest in becoming a firefighter but never formally applied or contacted fire departments, officials said. He had five minor interactions with local police in the past—mostly related to trespassing—but had no criminal history. Sheriff Norris noted that the firefighters were fired upon almost immediately after arriving on scene. Law enforcement also came under fire upon arrival, with Roley believed to have been shooting from a tree. Dozens of officers responded from various agencies, including sniper teams in helicopters. Using cellphone data, authorities located Roley, and a SWAT team recovered his body as the fire advanced toward the area.