Idaho Firefighter Shooter Had a Troubling Past

Wess Roley, the 20-year-old who ambushed and killed two firefighters in Idaho before taking his own life, displayed concerning behavior during his youth. Former classmates recall Roley as an individual who often doodled swastikas and weapons in notebooks, raising alarms among peers about his Nazi tendencies and obsession with guns.

Harry Standley, who attended school with Roley, stated, “My good friend saw drawings of swastikas and guns in his notebook. We were all pretty scared of him.” Despite being considered “weird,” classmates thought he was simply trying to stand out. Roley eventually stopped attending high school, reportedly expelled after issues with a girl.

In the days leading up to the attack, social media posts showed Roley in camouflage, with acquaintances describing his life as declining. His former roommate, TJ Franks, said Roley shaved his head and moved into his car in January, noting strange behavior and signs of disturbance, including when Roley entered Franks’ home uninvited while they weren’t there.

The Day of the Attack

Roley lured two firefighters, Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Battalion Chief John Morrison, to a brush fire he set, then opened fire from the trees, killing Harwood and Morrison and wounding a third firefighter. After the shooting, Roley retreated into the woods and shot himself with a shotgun during an extended standoff with law enforcement. His vehicle was found at the scene, pushed off a ledge to prevent escape, and authorities plan to search it for clues about his motives.

Insights from Those Who Knew Him

Classmates and friends expressed surprise and sadness. Franks, who shared an apartment with Roley, indicated he saw no signs that could explain the violence. Law enforcement reported that Roley had no significant criminal record, living mostly out of his car with minor police calls related to his transient lifestyle.

Questions Remain

The motivations behind Roley’s deadly assault remain unclear, with investigators till working to analyze his abandoned vehicle for potential clues. The firefighters he killed had nearly five decades of service combined, leaving a profound loss in the community.