Authorities in northern Idaho have identified the suspect and two victims in a deadly ambush during a wildfire response on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect involved in the deadly ambush of two firefighters in Coeur d’Alene. Sheriff Robert Norris announced on Monday, June 30, 2025, that the suspect was 20-year-old Wess Roley, born May 1, 2005. The identification was confirmed by County Coroner Duke Johnson.
Norris said investigators believe Roley deliberately set the wildfire and then ambushed firefighters as they arrived on the scene. He fatally shot two responders before being found dead nearby.
The victims, both battalion chiefs, were veteran leaders in their departments. Frank Harwood, 42, served with Kootenai County Fire Rescue for 17 years. “It saddens me to announce that Battalion Chief Frank Harwood… passed away in the line of duty,” a department official said.
Harwood was a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, a farmer, and a father of two. He was widely respected for his leadership as a shift commander.
John Morrison, a battalion chief with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, was also killed in the attack. He joined the department in 1996 and served for more than 28 years, holding roles including paramedic, engineer, captain, and, most recently, commander of the Blue Shift. Morrison was a longtime member of the department and deeply respected throughout the community.
The fatal attack unfolded the day before, on Sunday, June 29, when first responders were ambushed while battling a brush fire on Canfield Mountain. Authorities said two firefighters were killed and several others injured in what is now being investigated as a targeted act of violence.
A map shows the location of Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho, where the deadly ambush occurred, posted on June 29, 2025 | Source: YouTube/NBCNews
Fire crews responded to the blaze around 1:30 p.m. local time. Shortly after they arrived, unknown attackers opened fire from wooded terrain, striking both firefighters and law enforcement officers, Norris confirmed.
The victims were identified as fire personnel, but their names have not been released. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris addresses the media following the deadly ambush on firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, posted on June 29, 2025 | Source: YouTube/komonews
Civilians were seen evacuating and may have been caught between the flames and the gunfire. A police helicopter was dispatched to assist, but could not land due to the active shooting and difficult terrain.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard reportedly said that investigators are actively examining whether someone intentionally set the fire to draw first responders to the scene. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation and is searching for suspects.