NEWS UPDATE: Revealing a calculated plot against those who risk their lives to protect American communities, authorities have come forward with new information about a cold-blooded killer.
Idaho firefighters were violently ambushed by 20-year-old Wess Roley, who authorities now believe intentionally set a brush fire to lure them into a deadly trap.
The attack claimed the lives of two brave first responders and left another critically wounded.
Authorities identified Roley as the gunman behind the attack near Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene.
Following an extensive manhunt involving 300 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies, Roley was found dead next to a sniper rifle believed to have been used in the ambush.
The brush fire, which burned around 15-20 acres, appears to have been deliberately set as part of Roley’s sinister plan.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris did not mince words about the nature of the attack.
“This was a total ambush,” he stated, adding that “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
The brutal assault sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the increasingly dangerous conditions first responders face while performing their duties.
Emergency communications from the scene revealed the horror unfolding as firefighters came under fire.
“We have another Coeur d’Alene firefighter down … we’ve got two unresponsive battalion chiefs down, multiple gunshot wounds, two Coeur d’Alene are down … I’m pinned down,” one caller reported.
Another transmission explicitly stated, “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”
The timeline of events shows a quickly deteriorating situation. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s office received the initial call about the fire, followed quickly by reports of shots fired at firefighters.
As the situation escalated, firefighting efforts were temporarily halted while law enforcement conducted their search for the shooter.
Ultimately, a cellphone signal helped track Roley’s location, leading to the discovery of his body.
“They answered the call to protect others and paid the ultimate price,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little, who condemned the attack as “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
While the shelter-in-place order for the area has been lifted, the investigation continues with multiple federal agencies involved.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is currently tracing the weapon used in the ambush, while the FBI and Department of Homeland Security are assisting local authorities.
The identities of the fallen firefighters, one from Coeur d’Alene and another from Kootenai County, have not yet been released.
The third firefighter who was injured underwent surgery and remains in stable but critical condition.
Details about Roley’s motive remain unclear, and investigators have not determined whether he died by suicide or during an exchange with authorities.
What is certain is that he appears to have acted alone in executing this calculated attack against those sworn to protect the community.
This tragedy underscores the increasing dangers faced by first responders across America.
As they continue to serve communities, these brave men and women now must be vigilant not only against natural disasters but also against those who would purposefully target them for doing their duty.
