Idaho Sniper Ambush Kills Two Firefighters, Injures One Near Coeur d'Alene

Two firefighters were killed and a third critically injured in a sniper ambush while responding to a deliberately set brush fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Authorities believe the gunman, identified as Wess Roley, ignited the fire to lure firefighters into the kill zone before opening fire with a hunting rifle; he was later found dead near his weapon. The incident coincided with the 24th anniversary of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department’s burning of the Aryan Nations compound, fueling unconfirmed speculation on social media that the attack was a retaliatory act connected to that historic event. The Aryan Nations compound had been forfeited following violent incidents and a legal settlement, then burned down in a training exercise by the fire department. Law enforcement has not confirmed a motive and stated it is too early to link the attack to the anniversary. The community continues to mourn the fallen firefighters while investigators piece together the details of this deadly and calculated ambush.