Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height

The 20-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in northern Idaho had long dreamed of joining the fire service himself — but may have been turned down due to his height, according to his grandfather.

Wess Val Roley, described by relatives as someone who “idolized” firefighters and respected law enforcement, allegedly ambushed first responders on Sunday after deliberately setting a fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene.

“He actually really respected law enforcement,” said his grandfather, Dale Roley, in an interview with NBC News. “He loved firefighters. It didn’t make sense that he was shooting firefighters… Maybe he got rejected or something. His height might have had something to do with it.”

Standing 5-foot-8, Roley had reportedly inquired about joining a fire department but may have been denied the opportunity — a detail that could shed light on his motive, though investigators have yet to confirm any connection.

Officials say Roley lit a bush on fire and then opened fire on arriving firefighters, killing two and wounding a third. The suspect later died from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His van, found nearby, appeared to be his home.

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris called the attack a “total ambush,” stating the firefighters “did not have a chance.” He confirmed that Roley had expressed interest in firefighting and released a disturbing photo of the suspect wearing a balaclava and ammunition belt, which was shared on his social media prior to the attack.

Police also confirmed Roley had no criminal record, though he had been subject to welfare checks and a minor trespassing incident in the past. His grandfather described him as “nervous,” “high strung,” and “a bit of a loner,” but thought these were “normal issues for kids these days.”

The fire Roley allegedly started, known as the Nettleton Gulch Fire, has spread across approximately 20 acres. Firefighters were still battling the blaze into Monday.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, but confirmed one was from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. The third firefighter, initially in critical condition, is now reported to be stable.

Idaho Governor Brad Little called the attack “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,”