Two Idaho Firefighters Killed in Ambush Shooting near Coeur d'Alene

Strategic Insights -

Two veteran firefighters, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, were ambushed by a lone gunman while fighting a wildfire in Idaho's north. The gunman also critically injured a third firefighter, Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal, 47, in a brazen attack that has shaken the community. Investigators have identified the suspect, Wess Roley, a 32-year-old former firefighter who had a personal connection to the victims.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two veteran firefighters, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, were killed in an ambush shooting near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
  • Harwood, a 17-year veteran of the county fire department, was a husband and father of two children. He was also a former Army National Guard combat engineer.
  • Morrison, a 28-year veteran of the city fire department, served in various capacities, including as battalion chief. He was honored for his service during the briefing.
  • Chief Harwood and Chief Morrison will be honored with a procession of emergency vehicles on Tuesday morning.
  • The suspect, Wess Roley, a 32-year-old former firefighter, was identified by investigators. Details on his motives and background are still emerging.
  • The shooting occurred while the firefighters were battling a wildfire in the state's north, and the fire is still not fully contained.
  • Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was critically injured in the shooting and underwent two successful surgeries as of Monday noon.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released details on the suspect's alleged connection to the victims aside from mentioning that it may be related to his service as a firefighter and personal connections.

Statistics:

  • Two firefighters killed in the ambush shooting: Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52.
  • One firefighter critically injured: Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal, 47.
  • Age of the suspect: 32 years old (Wess Roley).
  • Experience of the fallen firefighters: Harwood: 17 years, Morrison: 28 years.
  • Number of surgeries Tysdal underwent: 2.
  • Update on the wildfire: Not fully contained as of Monday, investigators confirm.

Sources:

  • Axios (https://www.axios.com/2025/06/29/idaho-firefighters-coeur-dalene-gunman-attack)
  • Axios (https://www.axios.com/2025/06/30/idaho-shooting-suspect-identified)
  • Axios (https://www.axios.com/2025/06/30/wess-roley-idaho-fire-suspect-family-parents-firefighter)
  • Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CDAFIRE/posts/pfbid02bYih4zDLfRUWnfMbqR4ywmcEEdSL6RtkV4AXdc9aeBBAoccCFWnHnzmSEigq4qQ7l)