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
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.