Tennis icon Martina Navratilova denounced the fatal ambush-style shooting that took place in Idaho, which left two firefighters dead and a third critically injured. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, sparked an intense manhunt as authorities searched for the suspected shooter, Wess Roley, who had set a brush fire to entice first responders into a deadly trap. Navratilova, a well-known public figure, used her platform to voice her outrage at the event, expressing her disapproval of the current state of the country.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that fire crews were first called to Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, where a brush fire had ignited. Audio from the scene revealed the first responders calling for assistance, setting off a massive search operation that led to the discovery of Roley’s body. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the suspect died by suicide or was killed during the confrontation with law enforcement. The identities of the two deceased firefighters have not been disclosed, pending notification of their families, while the critically injured firefighter was taken to a medical facility and is in stable condition.
In her statement, Navratil, a long-time activist, emphasized the urgency of addressing the broader implications of the attack, particularly the potential dangers faced by first responders. As the nation grapples with the tragedy, the case of Wess Roley continues to draw attention to issues related to public safety, mental health, and the need for stronger measures to protect emergency personnel.