Wess Roley, the 20-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, had once dreamed of becoming a firefighter himself, according to his grandfather. Authorities say Roley ignited a brush fire using a flint fire starter and then ambushed the first responders, firing from a tree before apparently taking his own life.
The Sunday attack has stunned the community and left many grappling with unanswered questions. While a motive remains unclear, law enforcement confirmed no manifesto was found.
From Tree Work to Tragedy
Roley came from a family of arborists and had been working in the tree service industry. His grandfather, Dale Roley, told CNN that Wess had expressed interest in pursuing a career in wildland firefighting.
“He wanted to be a fireman in the forest,” Dale said. “As far as I know, he was actually pursuing it.”
Police say Roley used his climbing experience to position himself in a tree and open fire on the arriving firefighters. Investigators believe a shotgun was used in the attack, though they haven’t ruled out the involvement of other firearms. Roley also reportedly owned a long rifle.
He appeared to be living out of his vehicle, which remains at the scene of the shooting and has not yet been fully processed by authorities.
“It wasn’t like he was a loner,” Dale Roley said, adding that Wess had loving family and friends and had vacationed in Hawaii with his mother last year. Still, he hadn’t spoken with his grandson in about a month due to Wess losing his phone.
A Troubled History
Originally from California, Roley had also lived in Arizona and Idaho. A former track athlete, he was listed as a member of the class of 2024 at a high school in Arizona.
Former classmates described him as a complicated individual — sometimes sociable and funny, but often emotionally volatile and withdrawn.
“He could be verbally aggressive,” one classmate recalled. “But he also had a fun side — he’d make us laugh. You just had to take him in doses.”
Court records reveal a tumultuous family background. In 2015, Roley’s mother filed for divorce, alleging abuse and threats from her then-husband. She described incidents of physical violence and claimed he had threatened to burn down their house or shoot her with a sniper rifle. A judge granted a restraining order, though it was later modified to allow contact between Roley and his father.
Roley’s stepfather, Tony Cuchiara, released a statement through an attorney expressing heartbreak and confusion:
“We do not understand why this happened or how this came about. Our hearts are broken for the victims, for those hurting, and for our own loss.”
No Criminal Record, But Past Incidents
While Roley had no criminal history, Kootenai County law enforcement reported five minor prior interactions with him. He had family in the Coeur d’Alene area, but it’s unclear what brought him back or why the brush fire site was chosen.
“We knew he was in the area for most of 2024,” said Sheriff Bob Norris. “But why he was there, or why he chose that location — we just don’t know.”
A former roommate, TJ Franks, told CNN affiliate KING that he was “freaking out” when he learned Roley was the suspect. The two had worked together in the tree service industry and lived together for six months in Sandpoint, Idaho, before a disturbing incident with a security camera prompted Roley to move out.
“He could have flipped at any time,” Franks said. “It’s terrifying — we never expected something like this, especially from someone we knew.”
Family Reacts in Silence
Roley’s father, reached outside his home in Priest River, said he hadn’t seen his son since a family gathering last year and acknowledged they weren’t close. He declined to comment further. Roley’s mother also did not respond to calls for comment.
As investigators work to piece together the details behind Sunday’s deadly ambush, the community continues to mourn the loss of two veteran firefighters — and search for answers in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.
