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Lured into a Trap": Firefighters Ambushed in Deadly Idaho Attack
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June 29, 2025 — Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
What began as a routine wildfire call turned into a horrifying ambush that left two veteran firefighters dead and another severely wounded in what officials are calling a calculated, cold-blooded trap.
Authorities say 20-year-old Wess Roley deliberately set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, then waited for first responders to arrive—only to open fire without warning.
“They walked straight into a death trap,” said Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris. “It was a total ambush.”
The Deadly Scene
At approximately 2:00 PM, emergency crews responded to a brush fire. But as they worked to control the flames, gunfire erupted from a hidden location.
Two senior battalion chiefs—Frank Harwood (42) and John Morrison (52)—were killed instantly. A third firefighter, Engineer David Tysdal (47), was struck multiple times and remains in serious condition after multiple surgeries.
By 3:15 PM, police tracked Roley to a nearby area using cellphone data. He was found dead next to a firearm. The exact cause of his death—suicide or killed during police response—has not yet been confirmed.
A Premeditated Attack
Investigators believe Roley set the fire intentionally to lure first responders into a vulnerable position. It’s a tactic rarely seen in domestic attacks and has sent shockwaves through firefighting communities across the country.
“It’s one of the most disturbing acts of targeted violence against first responders we’ve seen in recent memory,” said a spokesperson for the Idaho Firefighters Association.
Nationwide Outrage and Mourning
The tragedy has sparked national outrage and raised urgent questions about the safety of emergency personnel responding to calls in rural or isolated areas.
In Coeur d'Alene, a growing memorial has formed at the fire station, where residents have left flowers, gear patches, and hand-written notes in tribute.
The Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are combing through Roley’s background, digital devices, and any potential online activity for clues about motive. So far, no manifesto or clear reason has been made public.
Meanwhile, federal and local agencies are reviewing protocols for how to approach future fire calls under suspicious circumstances.
A Community Shaken, A Nation Watching
As the small city of Coeur d'Alene mourns its fallen heroes, communities across America are left to confront a chilling reality: even those who rush toward danger to save others are no longer safe.
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