St. Helens native injured in Coeur d’Alene firefighter ambush

Published 1:40 pm Tuesday, July 1, 2025

David Tysdal was injured in the June 28 attack. (Courtesy of Coeur d'Alene Fire Department)

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include additional information on David Tysdal’s background.

A St. Helens native is among the firefighters ambushed in a weekend attack in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

David Tysdal, a firefighter and engineer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department since 2002, was seriously injured Sunday, June 28, when he and other first responders were called to a fire and then ambushed with gunfire.

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The 47-year-old grew up in St. Helens and graduated from St. Helens High School in 1996. Tysdal joined the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department in Moscow, Idaho, as a sophomore at the University of Idaho.

“He has spent his whole career with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department,” a representative for Tysdal said.

Officials said his injuries are severe, and he’s had two surgeries as of Monday afternoon, June 30.

“Engineer Tysdal is currently fighting for his life and recovery,” Ricky Walsh, the vice president of the firefighters’ union that Tysdal belongs to, said in a social media post.

Two other firefighters, Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, were killed in the shooting. Fundraisers have been set up for the Tysdal family, as well as those of the victims in the incident, through the Red and Blue Foundation.

“Red and Blue Foundation is the best place for donations,” the representative for Tysdal said.

Suspect identified

The suspect in the shooting was identified Monday, June 30, as 20-year-old Wess Roley. Officials believe Roley set a fire to lure firefighters to the scene before attacking.

Kootenai County Sheriff’s officials said firefighters asked Roley — who was found deceased following the incident — to move his vehicle just moments before Roley opened fire.

Fire crews can be heard, via dispatch recordings released online, urgently requesting backup, declaring, “Everybody’s shot up here … send law enforcement now!”