Idaho Firefighter Shooting A Life Unraveling Before Our Eyes

Gunman's Life Went 'Downhill' Before Fatal Attack on Idaho Firefighters

In a tragic turn of events, the lives of two Idaho firefighters were cut short in a senseless act of violence. The alleged perpetrator, **Wess Roley, 20**, is believed to have fatally shot two battalion chiefs and severely wounded a third while they were responding to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This shocking incident has sent ripples of grief and disbelief throughout the firefighting community and beyond.

Authorities report that Roley, suspected of taking his own life after the shooting, had set a fire at Canfield Mountain using flint. The responding firefighters were then ambushed.

The Victims:

• Frank Harwood, 42: A 17-year veteran of the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. He was married with two children and a veteran of the Army National Guard.
• John Morrison, 52: Served with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department since 1996, also working as a paramedic.

David Tysdal, 47, a fire engineer with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, sustained gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition, but has undergone two successful surgeries.

A Life Unraveling: According to reports, Wess Roley's life seemed to be spiraling downward in the months leading up to the tragic event. TJ Franks Jr., a former roommate, noted that Roley had been living out of his vehicle, shaved his long hair, and appeared to be "going downhill." The two lived together in Sandpoint, Idaho, until January.

Franks also reported unsettling behavior, including Roley allegedly throwing gang signs at his apartment cameras. He also recalled an incident where Roley's vehicle was left running for 12 hours, with Roley claiming he had forgotten about it.

Investigation and Response:

• Law enforcement deployed helicopters with snipers and utilized cellphone data to track Roley.
• A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents.
• Roley's body was eventually discovered in the mountains with a firearm nearby.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated that Roley had ties to California and Arizona and had been living in Idaho "for the better part of 2024," though his motive remains unknown. Ironically, Roley had once aspired to be a firefighter himself.

Community Mourning:

The impact of this tragedy is profound.

• Fire departments are now adding law enforcement to every call, regardless of its routine nature.
• Governor Brad Little has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen firefighters.
• Residents gathered to pay their respects as the firefighters' bodies were transported to the medical examiner's office.

"We still are in shock and are struggling to understand why someone would target unarmed, selfless public servants," stated Coeur d'Alene Mayor Woody McEvers.

Despite the immense loss, firefighters have managed to contain the wildfire, which burned approximately **26 acres**. Christopher Way, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief, affirmed, "But we are taking every measure we can to ensure safety of our responders."

In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of Frank Harwood and John Morrison. Their dedication to serving and protecting the community will not be forgotten. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by first responders and the importance of supporting those who selflessly put their lives on the line for others. It is also a call for greater understanding and resources to address mental health challenges within our communities, hoping to prevent similar events in the future.

Tags: Idaho wildfire, firefighter shooting, Wess Roley, Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai county, firefighter deaths, Frank Harwood, John Morrison, Sandpoint Idaho, TJ Franks Jr

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/01/idaho-firefighter-attack-gunman