In a tragic incident, Idaho firefighters faced a deadly ambush while responding to a fire on Canfield Mountain. The Cootenai County Fire and Rescue confirmed that Battalion Commander Frank Harwood, 42, was among those shot and killed.
Harwood was remembered as a dedicated firefighter, a father of two, and a former Army National Guard combat engineer. He, alongside another firefighter, lost their lives during the response when they were unexpectedly attacked by a 20-year-old named Wes Rory.
Another victim, John Morrison, 52, from the Coeur D’Alene Fire Department, had been with the department since 1996, totaling over 28 years of service.
Additionally, Dave Tysdal, 47, an engineer at the Coeur D’Alene Fire Station, sustained injuries but survived the ordeal. While he remains in serious but stable condition, he has undergone two surgeries since the incident. Fortunately, he’s now able to open his eyes and is surrounded by family.
“These men were dedicated firefighters, committed to serving their community and supporting their families,” officials expressed. Sunday has been described by local authorities as “one of the absolute dark days” for both fire stations involved.
The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, along with Kotenai County Rescue, arrived at the scene around 1:30 PM. Initial interactions with Rory were reportedly brief and did not indicate any animosity, creating a shocking context for the ensuing violence.
While the motives behind the attacks remain unclear, authorities have ruled out terrorism. Rory, originally from California and previously residing in Arizona, appeared to have been living in his car after relocating to Kohl Dahlene in 2024.
Officials confirmed that the gunman did not have a criminal record, stating that his previous encounters with law enforcement were minimal, primarily related to minor parking issues.
