Crime
Coeur d’Alene Ambush Suspect Wess Roley wanted to be a firefighter
Idaho shooter shot at firefighters from up in a tree.
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO – The man accused of fatally ambushing two firefighters on Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho once harbored aspirations of becoming a firefighter himself, according to family members and law enforcement officials.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley, was found deceased at the scene of the ambush-style attack on Sunday, June 30, after allegedly setting a brush fire to lure first responders to the area.
Two firefighters were killed in the attack, and a third was injured.
Preliminary evidence suggests Roley died by suicide.
Wess Roley was born in California and also lived in Arizona and Idaho.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed Monday that Roley had previously expressed an interest in a firefighting career. “At one point, it appears Mr. Roley wanted to be a firefighter,” Norris said during a press briefing. “There is no known manifesto or clear motive at this time.”
Roley’s grandfather, Dale Roley, told reporters that his grandson came from a family of arborists and had been working in the tree services industry while contemplating his future. “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 suspect was reportedly in possession of a shotgun and a long rifle, though authorities have not confirmed whether those specific weapons were used in the ambush.
Sheriff Norris stated that rifled shotgun slugs and other smaller munitions were recovered at the scene, indicating a sniper-style assault. Investigators also recovered a flint fire starter on Roley’s body, believed to have been used to ignite the blaze that drew firefighters to the area.
Sheriff Norris further disclosed that there was some form of verbal interaction between Roley and the firefighters before the shooting began, though details of that exchange remain under investigation.
Public records and court documents suggest that Roley had a troubled upbringing. His parents divorced in 2015, when he was 10 years old.
In her petition, Roley’s mother accused his father of domestic violence, alleging that he had pushed her to the ground, punched holes in the walls, and threatened to burn down the house or use a sniper rifle against her.
A protective order was issued by the court, initially including Wess Roley, though it was later amended to allow contact between father and son after the father claimed he posed no threat.
Roley had previously lived in the Phoenix, Arizona area and, according to social media posts, had vacationed in Hawaii with his mother last year.
His grandfather said they typically spoke weekly, but had not been in contact in the past month due to Wess losing his phone. Investigators believe Roley may have been living in his vehicle at the time of the attack.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, and no clear motive has been established.
Sheriff Norris reiterated that there is currently no evidence suggesting the presence of a manifesto or political motivation behind the deadly ambush.
Crime
Celeste Gusman, 66, Dies After Stabbing at Kalihi Business in Honolulu; Police Investigate as Homicide
HONOLULU, Hawaii — A 66-year-old woman has died following a stabbing at a business in Honolulu’s Kalihi neighborhood, leaving her family, friends, and the local community grieving a tragic loss.
The victim was identified as Celeste Gusman, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Officers responded to a business in the 2300 block of North School Street at approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a stabbing.
When officers arrived, they found Gusman suffering from a stab wound. Emergency medical personnel quickly began providing advanced lifesaving treatment at the scene before transporting her to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, Gusman later succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities also reported that another woman, who is in her 60s, sustained minor injuries during the incident. According to the information released, she was injured in a fall amid the disturbance and was transported to a hospital in stable condition.
No further details about the circumstances surrounding the second woman’s injuries have been provided.
Following the incident, police initially arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder. After Gusman died from her injuries, authorities reclassified the case as a murder investigation.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the stabbing. Police have not yet released information about what may have triggered the incident or whether the suspect knew Gusman.
The suspect’s arrest and the ongoing investigation do not establish guilt. Further details are expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and determining the events that led to the fatal attack.
The death of Celeste Gusman at 66 has brought sadness to those affected by this incident. A place of business in a familiar neighborhood became the scene of a tragedy, and loved ones are now facing the difficult reality of losing someone important to them.
While many questions remain unanswered, the loss of life has deeply affected the community. Friends, relatives, and neighbors are left remembering Gusman and hoping that the investigation will bring clarity about what happened.
Please keep Celeste Gusman’s family, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time. The injured woman and everyone affected by the incident also deserve support as they recover.
May Celeste Gusman rest in peace. May her loved ones find comfort, strength, and healing in the days ahead.