Tributes to slain firefighters as Idaho sniper identified; locals reflect on trauma

The sniper who lured hundreds of firefighters into a deadly ambush last night has been named as Wess Roley. 

Roley was found dead near his gun on Canfield Mountain outside of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Sunday evening.

Two firefighters were killed and another left critically injured by an individual who set a brush fire. The suspect’s motive appears to have been to lure firefighters to the scene.

Roley was identified by a law enforcement official who spoke with the Associated Press on Monday on the condition of anonymity. 

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said on Sunday it was unclear if the gunman was killed by a cop’s bullet, or if he took his own life. 

Roley’s body was pulled away from the scene just as the blaze began to spread across Canfield Mountain.

The fire was initially reported at approximately 1.21 pm. The victims, from Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, were fatally shot while assessing the situation.

A third was left ‘fighting for his life’ after being struck and rushed to surgery, but is now described as being in a stable condition.

Authorities say the killer started a brush fire, seen here, to lure firefighters onto Canfield Mountain

The suspect’s motive for the shooting remains unclear. An investigation into the shooting will continue today 

Law enforcement officers gather at Cherry Hill Park after multiple firefighters were attacked when responding to a fire in the Canfield Mountain

‘This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance,’ Norris said on Sunday. 

The scene was sheer pandemonium as the brush fire burned and firefighters rushed to the scene only to come under heavy fire.

By 4.30 pm, Sheriff Norris authorized law enforcement to use lethal force against the gunman. Two helicopters were dispatched with snipers to neutralize the threat.

It is believed the gunman was the only shooter in the attack ‘based on the trajectory [of the bullets] and based on the type of weapons that this individual had that we could recover,’ Norris said.

He explained that it is likely the gunman was running as he fired, as he announced ‘there is no threat to the community at this time.’ 

The suspect’s motive for the shooting remains unclear. An investigation into the shooting will continue today, where Norris said he expects to find more weapons that were left at the scene.

Harrowing fire department scanner calls revealed the terror the first responders faced as they arrived on the scene. 

‘Send law enforcement right now! There’s an active shooter zone,’ one firefighter could be heard crying out.

On Sunday evening, the two firefighters killed were transported from Kootenai Health to Spokane, Washington 

A procession of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks followed them to pay their final respects 

‘Everybody’s shot up here!’ the firefighter continued, noting that two battalion chiefs were ‘down’ and he was ‘pinned.’

He was later heard warning his fellow firefighters, ‘Stop. Do not come up here.’ ‘It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,’ the firefighter claimed.

On Sunday evening, the two firefighters killed were transported from Kootenai Health to Spokane, Washington. 

A procession of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks followed them to pay their final respects. 

Locals paid tribute at overpasses across the highway, some waved flags while others saluted the procession of vehicles. 

The firefighters were ultimately forced to pull back, with Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley telling KHQ he would not be deploying any more crew members until the threat was neutralized.

Meanwhile, the blaze continued to grow to cover 20 acres and the gunman kept shooting. 

Law enforcement and emergency responders are seen here at Cherry Hill Park off 15th Street on Sunday afternoon after responding to the fire and shooting

It is believed the gunman was the only shooter in the attack ‘based on the trajectory [of the bullets]’ officials said

Idaho Gov. Brad Little called the attack 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,’ he said, adding that he and his wife are ‘heartbroken’ by the news.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also said her department was monitoring the situation, saying: ‘Justice will be served’.

The FBI responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said.

The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a 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.’