THE suspected shooter who lured firefighters into the Idaho wilderness by starting a blaze before killing two and injuring a third has reportedly been named.
Wess Roley set a trap in the northern Idaho mountains before taking aim at first responders with hunting rifles on Sunday afternoon, a law enforcement official told reporters.
The source confirmed the identity to the Associated Press but remained anonymous because the information had not been confirmed.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to local law enforcement for more details on the suspect.
The tragedy unfolded at around 1:30 pm when first responders got calls that a fire had broken out on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene.
Around 30 minutes later, after firefighters had arrived, a sniper started firing shots.
First responders desperately hid behind their trucks and called for help as the suspect bobbed and weaved through the heavily wooded area, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said.
Hikers and bikers desperately ran from the chaotic scene as a horde of 300 federal, state, and local officials flooded the mountainside.
At around 3:15 pm, the suspect was finally located through a cellphone signal, and SWAT teams found him dead on arrival.
It’s unclear how he died or whether he turned a gun on himself.
Hours after the shooter was stopped, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris described the attack as an intentional ambush meant to target the crews.
“These firefighters did not have a chance,” he said at a press conference.
Lawmakers shared their shock and horror at the attack, and vowed to deliver justice after the dust settled.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Idaho Governor Brad Little wrote on X.
“I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
The injured crewmember was in critical condition, but is now stable after getting emergency surgery.
Horrifying radio captured the firefighters making a desperate call for help as they tried to dodge the bullets.
“Everybody’s shot up here,” cried one first responder in the audio streamed on Broadcastify.
“Send law enforcement now.”
The wildfire destroyed all evidence at the shooting scene, but officials were able to grab the suspect’s body before fleeing for safety.
They planned to continue their investigation on Monday.
The gunman’s motive remains unclear.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
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PADMA Lakshmi looked incredible in a plunging black bikini on her recent trip with her daughter.
The former Top Chef host, 54, traveled to Iceland with Krishna, 15, and lounged at the famous thermal spa, Blue Lagoon.
Padma appeared half her age as she kicked back with Krishna in the steamy blue waters.
“If you’re planning a trip this summer, Iceland is a great option! #Littlehands and I went over spring break, and there’s so much to see and do,” she wrote in the caption, referring to her sweet nickname for Krishna.
“You might not catch the northern lights this time of year, but at least it won’t be as cold!!!“
She also shared photos of the mother/daughter duo riding horses, watching a geyser, posing in front of a snow-topped mountain, visiting the Hallgrímskirkja church, and even catching the northern lights.
Fans were more impressed with Padma‘s beauty than the breathtaking Icelandic scenery.
“You look absolutely stunning!” one follower said.
“A beautiful person,” another chimed in.
“Padma is just turning back the clock!” chimed in a third.
Padma appears to have more time for relaxation after quitting Top Chef after 20 seasons in 2023.
After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly,” she said, adding that she planned to focus on her Hulu travel show.
“I feel it’s time to move on and need to make space for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative pursuits.”
Top Chef winner Kristen Kish took over as host.
After leaving the show, Padma has also focused on modeling and being a mom, of course.
Last summer, Padma celebrated Krishna’s graduation from middle school.
“I can’t believe my baby girl is off to high school after the summer,” Padma posted.
“I want to thank all of the teachers, educators, counselors, security and staff at the United Nations School for taking care of Krishna all these years.
“I’m so proud of Krishna and all she has achieved in her young, happy life. Special thanks to the theater department at UNIS and all the wonderful members of the parents association.
“I’ll miss you guys at the snack bar! As Littlehands would say… gurl, bye!”
Padma welcomed Krishna in 2010 with venture capitalist Adam Dell.
BEGINNING today, Costco is instituting a big switch-up to its store hours at all 628 of its US warehouses.
As the retail giant rolls out the change and shoppers adjust, Costco is facilitating the process by offering a grace period to millions of members.
Costco’s most premium members fall into the warehouse club’s Executive level tier, a membership card that costs shoppers $130 each year.
While Executive members only comprise around 47% of Costco’s total membership, they account for an astounding 73% of the company’s sales, per company data.
These stats indicate that the retailer’s top tier members tend to spend more per shopping trip and potentially make more frequent purchases at Costco compared to Gold Star or Business members.
In an effort to expand the perks for its most loyal customers, Costco is making a policy change that will give Executive members an extra hour to shop, allowing them to enter the store before anyone else.
Starting today, Costco will open its doors to these members at 9 am local time at all 628 warehouses – an hour earlier than Gold Star and Business level members.
These new hours will be in effect every day except Saturdays, when Executive members will be able to exclusively enter the store from 9 am to 9:30 am, 30 minutes earlier than everyone else.
For locations that already open their doors at 9 am to all shoppers, Costco will reserve that time for Executive members starting today.
“Our Executive members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco,” the company told Business Insider.
In addition to opening earlier for Executive members, Costco will stay open one hour later on Saturdays, until 7 pm, for all shoppers.
It’s not the first time that Costco has given early store access to its top-paying customers, with select locations offering extended shopping hours to Executive members in recent years – a benefit that was slowly phased out.
The move to reinstate the membership perk rivals Sam’s Club’s early hours policy for its Plus members, which allocates two extra shopping hours for its premium members every weekday between 8 am and 10 am.
On Saturdays, Plus members can take advantage of the early access between 8 am and 9 am.
As the warehouse club rolls out its new store hours, Costco is cognizant that the abrupt switch-up could spark confusion among members unaware of the change.
In an effort to help all its non-Executive members adjust to the change, the retailer is implementing a grace period.
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they've been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
Credit: Costco
“A grace period for Gold Star and Business members will be in effect through August 31,” reads a sign posted at one Costco store, alongside details of the company’s new schedule.
Although Costco is making an effort to ease customers’ grievances with the new policy, it hasn’t stopped Gold Star and Business members from complaining.
“WTF is the point for business members pass then?” cried one shopper on Facebook, as another fumed that Costco was ripping people off.
“So they are telling you the hours that you can shop? I DON’T THINK SO! Goodbye Costco!” slammed a third, as others vowed to switch over to Sam’s Club.
Some Executive members have similarly expressed complaints about the hours change, saying that they would rather see additions such as a scan-and-go system or the revival of the beloved combo pizza at the food court.
Even Costco workers have shared their dismay about the new store hours, complaining that both opening and closing later will make their jobs much tougher.
“Two hours may not sound like a lot, but we already struggle to get certain parts of the day covered and certain things done between opening and night crew. This two hour change will make it infinitely worse,” complained one employee on Reddit.
As Costco’s new hours take effect beginning today, the retailer is rolling out another hours change this week.
The retailer will close down all of its locations for 24 hours, forcing its rival Sam’s Club to scoop up business.
Costco is also launching another new perk for its Executive members, giving them a free $10 – you just use a popular service and it’s automatically added.
