Idaho Firefighter Attacker Leaves Farewell and Disturbing Drawings

Wess Roley, the 20-year-old responsible for fatally shooting two firefighters and wounding a third during a planned ambush in Idaho, left behind a chilling farewell letter and several unsettling drawings. The documents, released by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, reveal Roley’s erratic behavior and twisted expressions of self-destruction prior to the attack.

Among the sketches were crude images of Roley with gunshot wounds, a pentagram on his forehead, and phrases like “Goodbye Wess,” “Run Away,” and “Kill Kill Kill,” indicating his disturbed mental state. One note addressed to his father pleaded for him not to fall prey to modern propaganda and urged him to live freely, reflecting Roley’s complex and troubled psyche.

Mugshot of ambush suspect. — Wess Roley fatally shot two firefighters and injured a third during an ambush in late June.

Drawing of faces and text. — Multiple drawings depicted Roley with gunshot wounds, a pentagram, and words like “Goodbye Wess.”

Child's drawing with figures and the word 'kill' — One drawing had the word “Kill Kill Kill” scrawled on it, another a farewell letter was handwritten by Roley.

Farewell handwritten letter. — Roley wrote a farewell note to his father, expressing regret over his actions and cautioning him against modern media influences.

Investigators found the letter with numerous spelling errors, written from Roley’s vehicle at the scene of the attack, where he had set a fire at Canfield Mountain and waited for firefighters to arrive before opening fire. His social media posts in the hours before the shootings included a message claiming he was “going hunting,” adding an eerie layer to the already disturbing case.

Roley displayed signs of mental health struggles, including a history of unmedicated ADHD and marijuana use, as well as teenage doodles of Nazi symbols and weapons. Just a month prior, he attempted to join the local fire department where he later carried out the attack. His application was cut short due to frustration and agitation during the process.

Further concern arose from past threats made by Roley’s father during a divorce in 2015, which included warnings of setting fires and shooting the family. A protective order was issued then but its current status remains unknown.