Latest news with #SheriffNorris
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
Russia Today
01-07-2025
- Russia Today
US firefighters killed in sniper ambush
Two firefighters were shot and killed in an apparent ambush while responding to a wildfire in the US state of Idaho on Sunday. Emergency crews were dispatched to Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking destination in Coeur d'Alene, around 1:30pm local time. Roughly 30 minutes later, reports of gunfire began coming in, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Robert Norris told reporters that a SWAT team had been deployed and was engaged in a firefight with the suspect. 'We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,' he said. The Sheriff's Office later stated that the body of the suspected gunman was found on Canfield Mountain, with a firearm located nearby. Lieutenant Jeff Howard told ABC News that authorities are investigating whether the blaze was intentionally ignited to draw firefighters into a trap. Civilians, including hikers, were seen fleeing the area. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that federal agents were deployed to provide 'tactical and operational support.' A police helicopter was dispatched to assist but was unable to land due to continued gunfire. Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it a 'heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.'
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Washington Post
20-year-old man identified as Idaho shooting suspect in firefighter ambush
The man suspected of killing two firefighters and gravely wounding a third in an ambush-style attack as they responded to a fire in Northern Idaho on Sunday at one time expressed interest in being a firefighter, officials said Monday. The suspect, who was found dead near the site of the attack on Canfield Mountain, was identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said at a news conference.
New York Times
30-06-2025
- New York Times
What We Know About the Idaho Shooting
Two firefighters were killed and a third was injured when they were ambushed while responding to a wildfire in the Idaho panhandle on Sunday afternoon, the authorities said. The incident rattled the city of Coeur d'Alene and the outdoors communities around Canfield Mountain in northwest Idaho, where police said a wildfire was intentionally set to lure the fire crews into an ambush. The authorities found the body of the suspect with a firearm nearby, according to the police, and they believe he acted alone. Here's what we know. What happened? Around 1:21 p.m. on Sunday, the authorities received a call about a fire on Canfield Mountain, a popular wilderness area on the eastern outskirts of Coeur d'Alene, and dispatched firefighters there. About 40 minutes later, the firefighters radioed frantically that someone was shooting at them. Two firefighters were killed, and a third was injured but listed in stable condition, according to Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County in Idaho. More than 300 law enforcement officers responded, including from the F.B.I., and exchanged fire with the gunman. They located his body in the evening, aided by cellphone data, Sheriff Norris said. Who is the suspect? Law enforcement officials said they found a man's body, but did not give a name or other identifying details. Sheriff Norris said it was unclear how the man had died. His body was moved quickly from where it was found because of the rapidly spreading fire. Why do police suspect arson? Naturally occurring wildfires are uncommon on Canfield Mountain, local outdoors officials said. The authorities believe the suspect set the fire intentionally in order to lure fire crews to the area. Who are the victims? The authorities have not yet named the killed and wounded firefighters. One of the slain firefighters worked for the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and the other was from the Kootenai County Fire Department, Sheriff Norris said. The injured firefighter was also with the Kootenai County Fire Department. Where is Coeur d'Alene? Coeur d'Alene is in northwest Idaho, about 30 miles east of Spokane. It is known for its outdoors activities, and is near the large Coeur d'Alene Lake, national forestland and mountains, including Canfield Mountain. The mountain features both public and private lands and trails for hiking, mountain biking and motorcycling. The Idaho panhandle is known for its rugged outdoors, dense national forests and diverse wildlife.
Times
30-06-2025
- Times
Two firefighters killed after sniper ambushes crew in Idaho
Two firefighters were killed in a sniper attack and a third was seriously injured after being ambushed while responding to a wildfire in Idaho. The firefighters came under fire on Sunday and it is suspected that the bushfire was started deliberately to lure them into a trap. The body of a man was found with a gun near by, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said as it lifted a 'shelter in place' order. Officials said they believed the man had been acting alone. It is believed that the fire was started deliberately C JONES/AP 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire,' Sheriff Robert Norris, of Kootenai County, said. 'This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.' A third firefighter was 'fighting for his life' after surgery and was in a stable condition, Norris added. Officials said that the fire department responded to the fire at about 1.20pm local time and firefighters reported coming under attack soon afterwards. More than 300 law enforcement officers were at the scene, including two helicopters with snipers on board. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, but it was not clear whether he was hit by police or killed himself. Norris said the sniper used a high-powered sporting rifle. Officers were initially unsure of the number of gunmen involved. Norris said officers were likely to find more guns at the scene on Monday, once the fire was extinguished. The Idaho governor, Brad Little, said on X: '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.' The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook asking residents to avoid the city of Coeur d'Alene. The attack was unfolding in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area, a park on the edge of the city. Norris had said that officials were making plans to contain the shooting before moving to evacuate those trapped on the mountain. 'When we get that under control, when we have an opportunity to suppress that, then we will continue our removing of people who are on the mountain, who are on for a hike, or public safety personnel or people who live on the back side of the mountain.' Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, said the agency would be providing support and that it remained an 'active scene'. Pam Bondi, the attorney-general, shared a statement thanking the FBI. 'We are praying for all,' she said. The wildfire would not be extinguished until the snipers had been 'neutralised', Bill Deruyter, the deputy fire chief of Coeur d'Alene, said. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) said on X: 'While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families and law enforcement in your prayers.'
