Idaho shooting suspect identified
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (ABC NEWS) — A routine wildfire call turned deadly near Coeur d’Alene as two firefighters were killed and another injured in what authorities are calling an ambush.
Law enforcement officials identified Wess Roley as the person starting the brush fire that later resulted in the shootings at first responders.
According to a report from ABC News’ Alex Stone, firefighters responding to a small wildfire Sunday—set intentionally by the gunman—were met with sniper fire upon arriving at the scene near a trailhead. The 20-acre blaze was already sending thick smoke into the air when the first shots rang out.
The Kootenai County Sheriff said the firefighters had no warning and no chance to react before being shot. As law enforcement moved in, they too came under fire and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was concealed in the nearby woods.
Authorities ultimately located the gunman by tracking an unmoving cell phone signal in the area. They later found the suspect dead in the woods.
Overnight, a solemn procession was held as the bodies of the fallen firefighters were transported, with fellow responders lining the route in salute.
On Monday, crews are focused on fully extinguishing the fire and searching the area for any remaining weapons or explosives that may have been left behind by the shooter.
