Crime
Coeur d’Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood killed in Canfield Mountain ambush
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO – Authorities have confirmed the identities of the two firefighters killed in a deliberate ambush on Canfield Mountain on Sunday, June 30. The victims were:
- John Morrison, Battalion Chief with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department
- Frank Harwood, Battalion Chief with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue
Both men were fatally shot while responding to a brush fire that investigators now believe was intentionally set to lure first responders into a trap.
A third firefighter, David Tysdal, a Firefighter/Engineer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and a member of IAFF Local 710, was seriously injured in the attack. He remains hospitalized in critical condition, fighting for his life.
The suspect has been identified by law enforcement as Wess Roley, 20, of Coeur d’Alene. According to Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris, Roley appeared to have orchestrated the attack by setting a fire to draw firefighters into a remote area before opening fire on them. Authorities describe the ambush as sniper-style.
Roley was found deceased at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sheriff Norris confirmed.
A flint fire starter was recovered on his body and is believed to have been used to ignite the brush fire. Investigators also recovered rifled shotgun slugs and other ballistic fragments from the scene, though it remains unclear which of Roley’s firearms—a shotgun and a long rifle, according to family—were used in the shooting.
Preliminary information indicates there may have been a brief verbal interaction between Roley and the responding firefighters just before the ambush began.
In interviews with media, Roley’s grandfather, Dale Roley, stated that Wess had expressed a desire to pursue a career in wildland firefighting. “He wanted to be a fireman – he was doing tree work and he wanted to be a fireman in the forest,” he said. “As far as I know, he was actually pursuing it.” The younger Roley had been working in the family’s tree service business and was said to be uncertain about his long-term career path.
Roley had reportedly been living in his car in the weeks leading up to the incident. His grandfather said they typically spoke weekly, but they had not spoken in the past month due to Wess having lost his phone.
Social media posts indicate Roley recently vacationed in Hawaii with his mother. Public records show he previously lived in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Court documents also point to a troubled family history.
In 2015, when Wess was 10 years old, his mother filed for divorce, citing domestic abuse, including threats involving a sniper rifle and arson. A protective order was issued against Roley’s father but later modified to allow contact with his son after the father disputed the allegations.
No manifesto or written statement was recovered at the scene, and authorities have not yet identified a motive. Sheriff Norris confirmed that the FBI and ATF are assisting in the investigation, given the premeditated and targeted nature of the attack.
“This is a devastating tragedy for our community and for the fire service family,” said Sheriff Norris. “We will pursue every lead to understand what led to this horrific act.”
Funeral arrangements for Battalion Chiefs Morrison and Harwood are pending. Meanwhile, the firefighting and first responder community across Idaho and beyond is rallying in support of Engineer Tysdal and all those affected by this targeted act of violence.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.