A routine wildfire response in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on June 30, 2025, turned into a deadly ambush, leaving two veteran firefighters dead and another critically injured. Authorities confirmed that the attack was planned in advance and the fire was intentionally set to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
The Initial Fire Call
At approximately 1:21 p.m. local time, emergency services received reports of a brush fire in the Canfield Mountain Nature Preserve, a popular hiking and recreation area near Coeur d’Alene. Firefighters from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and Northern Lakes Fire District responded to the call. It appeared to be a routine brush fire, initially covering a relatively small area.
Just over 30 minutes later, however, a sudden and violent attack took place. Firefighters on the scene were hit by gunfire. Radio reports captured the urgency of the moment, with a firefighter urgently calling for law enforcement assistance. The call made it clear that several employees had been injured and that there was an ongoing threat from an unidentified gunman.
Victims
Authorities later confirmed that Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 46, of the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Department, were both killed in the ambush. Another firefighter, Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was critically injured and taken to a local hospital for emergency surgery.
Morrison has served 28 years, while Harwood has spent 17 years in the fire service. Tysdal is a well-respected member of the fire department and is in stable condition after surgery.
How the ambush unfolded
According to Kootenai County officials and law enforcement, the attacker was hiding in a wooded area near the scene of the fire. As firefighters approached to extinguish the blaze, the gunman opened fire from a concealed position. Law enforcement described the shooting as a sniper-style ambush.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed at a press conference that the suspect appeared to have intentionally set the fire to lure firefighters to the area. The rapid escalation of events led to a multi-agency response, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which joined the investigation shortly after the attack.
A shelter-in-place order has been issued for residents near the Canfield Mountain Trail as law enforcement combs the area in search of the shooter. More than 300 police officers have joined the search, including specialized SWAT teams.
Suspect Discovered
The suspect, later identified as Wess Roley, a 20-year-old man who moved to Coeur d’Alene in mid-2024, was found dead at approximately 7:40 p.m. His body was discovered near the scene of the attack, along with a gun — specifically a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with a breechloader — found nearby. Authorities believe he committed suicide.
Investigators believe Roley acted alone and had no criminal record. He had previously expressed an interest in firefighting and had worked in tree service jobs. According to family and acquaintances, he had recently been living in his car. Law enforcement confirmed there were no warning signs or threats associated with his background.
Motive and Investigation
To date, investigators have not determined a clear motive. However, they confirmed that the fire was deliberately started using flint or a similar method, indicating a calculated plan to lure firefighters into a targeted attack.
