Crime
Coeur d’Alene shooting suspect identified as Wess Roley
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Authorities have identified the gunman responsible for the deadly sniper ambush on Canfield Mountain as Wess Roley, following an hours-long active shooter situation that claimed the lives of two firefighters and left a third critically injured.
Roley, whose body was discovered Sunday evening near a firearm, is believed to have set a brush fire in the rugged, forested terrain outside Coeur d’Alene with the intent to lure firefighters into a deadly trap.
The ambush unfolded shortly after fire crews arrived to contain the blaze, resulting in chaos, confusion, and heavy gunfire exchanged over several hours.
At approximately 1:21 p.m., emergency services responded to reports of a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking area located roughly four miles north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Around 30 minutes later, first responders came under fire. Two firefighters — one from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue — were fatally shot while assessing the scene.
A third firefighter was struck and airlifted for emergency surgery. He is now reported to be in stable condition.
Scanner audio captured during the incident revealed the panic on the ground:
“Send law enforcement right now! There’s an active shooter zone,” one firefighter could be heard shouting.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated during a press briefing that Roley appeared to act alone, based on recovered weapons and bullet trajectories. He confirmed the shelter-in-place order has now been lifted, and there is no further threat to the community.
“This was a total ambush,” Sheriff Norris said. “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
Law enforcement returned fire throughout the afternoon. By 4:30 p.m., Norris authorized officers and deployed snipers in two helicopters with the directive to use deadly force if they had a clear shot. It remains unclear whether Roley was killed by law enforcement or died by suicide.
“I was hoping someone would have a clear shot to neutralize him,” the sheriff said.
According to Norris, it is likely the suspect was moving on foot as he fired from different positions, contributing to initial fears that more than one shooter might have been involved.
The suspect’s motive remains unknown, and Sheriff Norris said further investigation is underway. Officials expect to recover additional firearms or equipment from the scene.
The FBI responded with technical teams and tactical support, and state and federal agencies remain active in the area. According to Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the situation remains “active and very dangerous.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little called the incident a “heinous, direct assault” on public servants.
“Multiple firefighters were attacked in a cowardly act of violence,” he posted on X. “I ask all Idahoans to join me in prayer for them and their families.”
Sheriff Norris confirmed that the Canfield Mountain wildfire remains active, though response efforts were temporarily suspended due to the risk posed by gunfire.
Firefighting personnel are expected to resume suppression efforts now that the immediate threat has been neutralized.
“It’s going to keep burning,” Norris said. “We can’t put any resources on it right now until we’re confident the area is safe.”
Canfield Mountain, located just northeast of Coeur d’Alene, is a densely wooded recreational area frequented by hikers and bikers.
The ambush has shocked the community and drawn national attention to the vulnerability of emergency responders in hostile situations.
The names of the fallen firefighters have not yet been released pending family notification. Support services are being coordinated for their families, colleagues, and all first responders affected by the day’s events.
This remains a developing story, and more information will be released as it becomes available.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.