Crime
Coeur d’Alene Ambush Suspect Wess Roley Set Fire to Lure Firefighters into Deadly Trap
The motive behind the ambush remains under investigation.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Authorities have identified the gunman behind Sunday’s deadly ambush on Canfield Mountain as 20-year-old Wess Roley, a resident of northern Idaho.
Roley is accused of deliberately setting a wildfire to lure first responders into a trap, before opening fire on firefighters, killing two and critically injuring a third.
According to law enforcement officials, Roley was the son of Heather Lynn Caldwell-Cuchiara and stepson of Tony Cuchiara, both of whom are known supporters of the political MAGA movement.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Roley’s political affiliations played any role in the attack.
The motive behind the ambush remains under investigation.
The incident began around 1:21 p.m. on Sunday when a brush fire was reported on the east side of Canfield Mountain, just outside the city of Coeur d’Alene.
Firefighters from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue responded to the scene.
By 2:00 p.m., radio transmissions from firefighters indicated they were under active gunfire.
“These firefighters did not have a chance,” said Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, describing the scene as an intentional ambush. “The fire was set to draw them in.”
Law enforcement officers, including members of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and other responding agencies, engaged in a tactical response.
SWAT teams were deployed, and helicopters were dispatched to provide air support and locate the gunman.
Later in the afternoon, SWAT officers located Roley’s body on Canfield Mountain near a high-powered firearm.
It remains unclear whether he was killed by return fire from law enforcement or died by suicide.
His body was recovered and transported off the mountain as the wildfire continued to advance.
“We recovered a firearm next to the suspect,” Norris confirmed. “We believe he acted alone, based on the trajectory of gunfire and the type of weaponry recovered at the scene.”
Two firefighters were killed in the attack — one from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and another from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
A third firefighter, also from Coeur d’Alene, was transported to the hospital in critical condition, but is currently reported to be in stable condition and recovering after surgery.
Sheriff Norris noted that law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect during the standoff and declared the situation a mass casualty incident as first responders continued to evacuate personnel from the danger zone.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous and deliberate assault on our first responders.” He urged the public to keep the fallen and wounded firefighters and their families in their thoughts.
“This is a tragic day for Idaho. Our hearts are with those who serve on the front lines and the communities they protect,” the governor stated.
The FBI has joined the investigation and provided technical and tactical support at the scene.
As of Monday, the wildfire on Canfield Mountain remains active. Due to the severity of the ambush, fire suppression efforts were temporarily halted.
Emergency management officials have urged the public to stay clear of the area.
Sheriff Norris emphasized that while the immediate threat has passed, investigators are combing the scene for evidence, including any potential additional weapons left behind by Roley.
This remains an active investigation, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.