CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park rangers fatally shot a gunman who opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle at a dining facility entrance while about 200 people were inside. The man had previously told a woman he held at gunpoint that he planned to carry out a mass shooting, park officials revealed on Tuesday.
The lone shooter was identified as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, of Milton, Florida. He was killed by rangers during the attack on Thursday morning. A park ranger who was injured has since been released from the hospital.
The shooting prompted authorities to close off Canyon Lodge, a lodging area consisting of hotel rooms, cabins, and dining facilities. Some parts of the lodge remained closed as of Tuesday. Fussner was employed by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the primary concessionaire for facilities in Yellowstone.
Details about the incident were disclosed in a statement issued by park officials. Law enforcement rangers were alerted in the early hours of Thursday that Fussner had held a woman at gunpoint at a residence in Canyon Village and threatened to carry out a mass shooting at July 4 events outside the park.
Despite finding Fussner’s vehicle, rangers did not locate him immediately. A search involving over 20 law enforcement rangers ensued, with a special response team being mobilized to protect visitors and employees.
At approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, law enforcement rangers encountered Fussner as he approached and fired on a service entrance to the Canyon Lodge dining facility. Multiple rangers returned fire, resulting in Fussner’s death at the scene. There were no other reported injuries.
“Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement rangers, many lives were saved here last Thursday,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly.
The FBI is conducting an investigation. According to National Park Service policy, rangers involved in a shooting are placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
When questioned on Tuesday, park officials did not provide information on whether any Yellowstone law enforcement rangers had been placed on leave.
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