The National Parks Service reported on Tuesday that the Yellowstone National Park ranger injured in a shootout with a suspect at Canyon Village on July 4 has been released from the hospital. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The encounter involved Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, who held a woman at gunpoint and threatened to carry out a mass shooting at Fourth of July events outside the park. Law enforcement received a 911 call about Fussner’s threats and located his unoccupied vehicle in the Canyon area. Over 20 rangers were stationed near Canyon Lodge, where Fussner, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, was shooting a semi-automatic rifle towards the dining hall occupied by over 200 people.
Gunfire was exchanged between Fussner and rangers, resulting in Fussner being shot and pronounced dead at the scene. One ranger was injured with a gunshot wound to the lower extremities. The rangers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave as the FBI leads the investigation with oversight from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.
Within 30 days, the parks service will release body camera footage of the incident. Xanterra has reopened select rooms and visitor services, with full operations set to resume in the following days.