What We Know About Wess Roley, the 20-Year-Old Suspect in the Idaho Fire Shooting

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – The suspect accused of killing two firefighters and injuring a third in a shocking attack Sunday had aspirations of becoming a firefighter himself, according to family members. Wess Roley, 20, allegedly started a brush fire with a flint starter before ambushing first responders from a tree in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Authorities confirmed Roley was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Aspiring Firefighter with Family Ties to Arborist Work

Roley’s grandfather, Dale Roley, told FinanceDaily that his grandson came from a family with deep roots in tree service work and had been exploring a career in firefighting.

“He wanted to be a fireman—he was doing tree work and hoped to transition into wildland firefighting,” Dale Roley said. “As far as I know, he was actively pursuing it.”

Police say Roley used his climbing experience—gained through years of working with his family—to position himself in a tree before opening fire on the responding firefighters. His motive remains unclear, and no manifesto or written statement has been recovered.

Firearms Ownership and Recent Behavior

Dale Roley confirmed his grandson owned a shotgun and a long rifle. Investigators believe a shotgun was used in the attack but have not ruled out additional weapons.

Despite the violent incident, family members described Roley as someone with a supportive network. He had recently vacationed in Hawaii with his mother, according to social media posts, and was not considered a loner.

“We had no reason to suspect he would be involved in something like this,” Dale Roley said, adding that he still hoped for confirmation that his grandson wasn’t the shooter.

A Troubled Past: Anger Issues and Family Struggles

Authorities revealed that Roley had lived in California, Arizona, and Idaho. Former classmates from an Arizona high school described him as a struggling student who could be friendly but also prone to angry outbursts.

“He could make us laugh, but sometimes he was hard to be around,” one former classmate said. “You had to take him in small doses.”

Court records also shed light on a turbulent childhood. Roley’s mother filed for divorce in 2015, alleging domestic violence, including threats and physical altercations with her then-husband.

Ongoing Investigation

Officials say Roley appeared to be living out of his vehicle, which remains at the scene pending further forensic analysis. The attack has left the community in shock, with authorities working to piece together what led to the deadly ambush.

As the investigation continues, FinanceDaily will provide updates on this developing story.