Suspect found deceased after Kootenai County firefighter shooting

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

The gunman who shot and killed two firefighters and wounded a third at the Canfield Mountain recreation area in Kootenai County on June 29 was found deceased after an hourslong manhunt.

Battalion Chief John Morrison, left, and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, right, were shot and killed while responding to a fire on Canfield Mountain in Kootenai County on June 29. Courtesy photos

Wess Roley, 20, has been identified as the shooter. Roley was found dead on Canfield Mountain with a shotgun nearby. According to the Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris, Roley’s wound was self-inflicted.

There is no indication of a motive in the attack that killed Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of the Kootenai Fire & Rescue Department. The two had served their departments for 17 and 28 years, respectively. The third wounded firefighter has been identified as Dave Tysdal, 47, a 23-year veteran of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.

Roley appears to have been living out of his vehicle and was found with a flint starter, which Norris believed was his method for igniting the burn that firefighters responded to.

Once first responders reached the blaze on Canfield Mountain, authorities believe there was a “discussion” between the shooter and the firefighters that ultimately led to shots fired from Roley. Norris said in a press conference that officials believe there was only one shooter.