Idaho killer Wess Roley shared a disturbing online image of himself wearing camouflage and a belt of rifle shells, accompanied by the Björk song “I’m Going Hunting,” just hours before launching his deadly ambush, authorities revealed Monday.
The eerie post was among several new details disclosed during a press conference held by the local sheriff.
Investigators said Roley had been living out of his car in the days leading up to the attack, which claimed the lives of two firefighters and left a third critically injured.
More than 300 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded to the scene after gunfire erupted, spending hours working to neutralize Roley.
In a dramatic effort to contain the threat, authorities pushed Roley’s abandoned car off a mountain ledge to prevent his escape, and deflated the tires of nearby fire engines to stop him from fleeing in one.
Although the motive behind the attack remains unclear, investigators have not yet searched Roley’s vehicle, Sheriff Robert Norris said. There is no evidence he left behind a manifesto, and authorities have found no links between Roley and any Middle Eastern terrorist organizations.
Roley, originally from California, had been living in the Coeur d’Alene area since 2024, according to Sheriff Norris.
During that time, Roley had at least five encounters with local police, involving incidents such as trespassing and welfare checks—most of them triggered by complaints about him living in his car and parking on private property.
“These interactions were very, very minor,” said Sheriff Norris, noting that investigators found no criminal record for Roley in Idaho, California, or Arizona, where he had previously lived.
Roley died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday, after allegedly setting a fire in the woods on Canfield Mountain around 1 p.m. and opening fire on the firefighters who responded.
Roley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday after allegedly setting a fire in the woods intentionally.
It remains unclear whether the fire was intentionally set to lure firefighters into an ambush or if the deadly attack was triggered by a dispute over Roley’s vehicle.
During the gunfight, Roley used a shotgun loaded with slugs.
The fire Roley started continues to burn across more than 26 acres, but officials expect containment by Monday night.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
