The shocking image of a suspect in war paint involved in the ambush of an Idaho firefighter has stirred serious security concerns.
At a Glance
- Authorities have identified Wess Roley, 20, as the suspect who ambushed firefighters in Idaho, killing two and critically injuring a third.
- A chilling photo released by police shows Roley in camouflage and black “war paint” shortly before the attack.
- The suspect lured the firefighters into a trap by deliberately setting a wildfire on Canfield Mountain before opening fire with a rifle.
- Roley’s motive remains a mystery, though the attack occurred on the 24th anniversary of the burning of the nearby Aryan Nations compound.
A Heinous Attack on Heroes
The man who deliberately lured two Idaho firefighters to their deaths in a “total ambush” has been identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley. On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Roley set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene and then, armed with a high-powered rifle, gunned down the first responders who arrived to protect the community.
The attack claimed the lives of Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department. A third firefighter, Dave Tisdale, was critically wounded. Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the murders as a “heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
The Chilling “War Paint” Photo
In a disturbing development, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has released a photo taken from Roley’s social media, posted just before the attack. The image shows Roley staring into the camera, his face covered in black “war paint,” while dressed in camouflage gear. The post was set to the song “Hunter” by the artist Bjork.
“These firefighters did not have a chance,” Sheriff Robert Norris said, describing how Roley picked them off from a concealed position in the wooded terrain.
A Motive Shrouded in Mystery
The investigation into Roley’s motive is ongoing. Authorities were quick to note the “chilling coincidence” that the attack occurred on the exact 24th anniversary of the day the nearby Aryan Nations neo-Nazi compound was destroyed in a controlled burn by local fire departments. However, Sheriff Norris has stated that, so far, investigators have found no evidence linking Roley to any extremist groups.
As reported by Yahoo News, those who knew Roley are in shock. His stepfather, Tony Cuchiara, said, “We do not understand why this happened or how this came about.” Roley had reportedly shown a past interest in becoming a firefighter himself but was recently living out of his car. After a tense standoff with police, Roley was found dead on the mountain from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
