Aiden Fire Suspect Wanted to Be a Firefighter, Rejected and Ambushed Rescue Crew

The shocking case of 20-year-old Wesley Paul (Wes) Royle from Aiden has left authorities puzzled. Initially setting a forest ablaze, Royle later ambushed responders, killing two and injuring a third before being found dead at the scene. Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County confirmed that Royle likely took his own life after the attack. While no clear motive has been established, officials revealed that Royle had previously expressed a desire to become a firefighter, potentially having been rejected for the role. Family members speculate that his height—5’8”—may have hindered his application. Despite having a clean criminal record, Royle had minor legal issues in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he lived out of his car due to homelessness. Hours before the deadly ambush, he posted a chilling photo online wearing camouflage and a bandolier, paired with the caption ‘I’m going hunting’ from a Björk song. Investigators are currently exploring whether his firefighting aspirations played a role in the tragic events.