Latest news with #Coeur d'Alene
ABC News
01-07-2025
- ABC News
Idaho man who ambushed fire crews wanted to be a firefighter, sheriff says
A man who lit a blaze before fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in north-western Idaho was a 20-year-old transient who once dreamed of being a firefighter, authorities have said. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris offered fresh details about the Sunday confrontation at popular Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d'Alene. He said Wess Roley, who was living out of his vehicle, had once aspired to be a firefighter and had only a handful of minor contacts with area police. "We have not been able to find a manifesto," the sheriff said, adding a motive was still unknown. Sheriff Norris said families of the victims are "in shock". "They're still processing it," he said. Mr Roley had sparked the fire using flint, the sheriff said, but the firefighters who rushed to the scene instead found themselves under fire. They took cover behind fire trucks, but two died, and a third was wounded during a barrage of gunfire over several hours. The sheriff said Mr Roley attacked the first responders after they asked him to move his vehicle. "There was an interaction with the firefighters. It has something to do with his vehicle being parked where it was," he said. Mr Roley later killed himself, the sheriff said. He had ties to California and Arizona and was living in Idaho "for the better part of 2024," Sheriff Norris said. "But as far as when he got here, why he was here, why he chose this place — I don't know." Two helicopters converged on the area on Sunday, armed with snipers ready to shoot the suspect if needed. The FBI used Mr Roley's cell phone data to track him, and the sheriff ordered residents to shelter in place. They eventually found the suspect dead in the mountains, his firearm beside him. TJ Franks Jr, a resident of Sandpoint, Idaho, said he lived with Mr Roley for about six months while he worked for a tree service. Mr Franks had cameras in his apartment that caught Mr Roley throwing gang signs at them one day, which worried Mr Franks to the point he called the police. "I didn't know what to really think about it," Mr Franks said. "I just called the cops and had them talk to him." The landlord also called Mr Franks one morning because neighbours reported that Mr Roley's vehicle had been left running for about 12 hours. Mr Franks said Mr Roley was asleep in his room and said he forgot about the vehicle. He said his then-housemate "started acting a little weird" and at one point shaved his long hair off completely. "We just kind of noticed him starting to decline or kind of go downhill," he said. Dale Roley, who lives about an hour away from Coeur d'Alene, told KXLY-TV that his grandson was an avid hiker who worked for a tree company and was interested in forestry. The outpouring of support for the victims was swift in Coeur d'Alene, a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Governor Brad Little ordered US and Idaho state flags to be lowered to half-staff to honour the firefighters until the day after their memorial service. "All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger on a daily basis," he said in a statement. "But we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this on our firefighters before." AP
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Two killed after suspect shot at firefighters in Idaho, authorities say
Two people have been killed after a suspect shot at firefighters responding to a fire in the US state of Idaho, authorities have said. Police were still "taking sniper fire" near the city of Coeur d'Alene on Sunday afternoon, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said. Crews were responding to a fire at Canfield Mountain around 1.30pm and gunshots were reported around half an hour later, the force said. Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two killed were firefighters, and he did not know if anyone else was shot. "We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," he said. "We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak." Mr Norris said the sniper appeared to be hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle, adding he had instructed his deputies to fire back. "I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralise, because they're not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender," the sheriff said. Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," he said on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." The sheriff's office in neighbouring Shoshone County said authorities were "dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large". The fire was still raging, Mr Norris said. "It's going to keep burning," he added. "Can't put any resources on it right now." Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking spot on the outskirts of Coeur d'Alene, a city of around 55,000 people in northern Idaho. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Fox News
30-06-2025
- Fox News
Active shooter, wildfire situation unfolding in Idaho after firefighters ambushed in deadly incident
Authorities are on the scene of an active shooter and wildfire incident in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where several firefighters were "attacked." During a news conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris shared that at least two people were killed, possibly firefighters. Norris added that they are still "actively taking sniper fire" as he spoke. "We now have two deaths. We have an unknown amount of casualties," Norris said. "We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain. We have we might have civilians that are stuck or in shock on that mountain. So this is a very, very fresh situation." "We don't know who suspect or suspects are, and we don't know how many suspects there may be," Norris said. A spokesperson for the Northern Lakes Fire Protection confirmed the situation to Fox News Digital, saying that "the active shooter situation and very active wildfire scene were related." The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office issued an alert earlier Sunday afternoon stating: "Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries have been reported, though the severity remains unknown. Please avoid the area." Officials confirmed that the firefighters were responding to a brush fire near East Nettleton Gulch Road when the shooting started. Due to the danger, fire crews had to retreat, and the brush fire continues to pose a threat. Authorities are urging residents in the vicinity to stay vigilant and exercise caution as the situation develops. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the agency was headed to the scene to provide "tactical and operational support." He called it an "active scene." Governor Brad Little reacted to the incident in a post on X. "Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken," Little wrote. "As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs." Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
New York Times
29-06-2025
- New York Times
Police Responding to Shooting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
The authorities in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, are responding to a shooting on Sunday in which the gunman remains at large, according to a sheriff's office. The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office asked residents on Facebook to avoid Coeur d'Alene. The post said that 'at the moment as we are dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large' and asked that residents not call the office for more information. Kootenai County Emergency Management told residents to shelter in place and avoid the area near Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road. The office expanded the alert to include an area south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street. It urged residents to avoid the area 'due to law enforcement activity.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
