Horror on Canfield Mountain: 3 Firefighters Ambushed by Sniper, 2 Dead, 1 Injured

Gunfire in the Wild: Authorities Suspect Wildfire on Canfield Mountain Was Deliberately Set to Lure Emergency Crews

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Introduction

In an unprecedented act of violence, a sniper opened fire on three firefighters, killing two and seriously injuring one, who is now in stable condition in a hospital.

The firefighters had responded to a report of a wildfire in northern Idaho, on Canfield Mountain, where they were ambushed by a shooter believed to have started the fire to set a trap. NBC News

The attack began approximately 30 minutes after their arrival. Two firefighters were fatally shot, and a third was wounded. He was transported to the hospital and is reportedly in stable condition, though he initially fought for his life.

How the Crime Unfolded

Kootenai County Sheriff Richard Norris stated at a press conference:

“We believe the suspect started the fire. This was a complete ambush. These firefighters didn’t stand a chance.”

Norris said the assailant used high-powered sporting rifles to shoot at emergency personnel rapidly. Initially, authorities were uncertain how many shooters were involved.

“The shooter was positioned in an area with thick brush and was well-prepared, blending into the environment,” Norris added.

Both police officers and firefighters came under sniper fire during the incident, which took place on Canfield Mountain — a popular hiking area near Coeur d’Alene, roughly 260 miles east of Seattle. East Idaho News

Norris also confirmed that, based on current evidence, authorities believe the shooter acted alone. The threat to the public has passed since the suspect was found dead following a prolonged firefight. It remains unclear whether he was killed by police or died by suicide.

Here is the video from NBC News

Source: NBC News YouTube

Social Media Reactions

Videos from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the heavily forested mountain slopes, armed emergency crews preparing for engagement, and several ambulances arriving at a nearby hospital.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

Source: Post on X

Idaho Governor Brad Little also commented on X:

Source: Post on X

Law enforcement exchanged fire with the attacker, but officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause of his death. According to Sheriff Norris, the motives behind the crime remain unclear. The identity of the attacker has not been officially released, and authorities are still working to confirm it.

Fire Warnings and Scam Alerts

The fire on Canfield Mountain has not yet been fully contained, primarily due to the threat posed to firefighters. Local residents have been warned to remain alert in case the fire escalates.

A no-fly zone was declared over the Canfield Mountain area, “including a strict prohibition on the use of drones,” according to a public statement from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday. YouTube

The sheriff also cautioned residents to delay making donations to the families of the fallen and injured firefighters until official channels are established. He warned of potential scammers who might exploit the tragedy by launching unauthorized GoFundMe campaigns designed to deceive well-meaning donors.

One of the fallen firefighters served in the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Department, and the other was with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. The injured firefighter is also a member of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, said Norris. Al Jazeera

Conclusion

What drove the attacker to commit this act remains unknown, and perhaps may never be fully understood. But one thing is clear: U.S. gun laws remain alarmingly lax, allowing easy access to firearms with minimal background checks.

In this case, the killer used a sporting sniper rifle, which was likely purchased legally. Mass shootings occur nearly every day in the U.S., many of which might have been preventable under stricter firearm regulations.

Incidents involving school shootings—where children should be safest—are disturbingly frequent, enabled by America’s lenient gun laws.

Unless there is significant reform of gun legislation and a reassessment of the Second Amendment, the U.S. could see more such tragedies in the future.

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Latest update of the article:

The suspected attacker has been identified as Wess Roley, believed to have acted alone. Authorities say Roley intentionally set the brush fire on Canfield Mountain to lure in the firefighters, as part of a calculated ambush.

He was later found dead near a firearm, following a law enforcement manhunt sparked by his cell phone signal. AP News

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