CHEYENNE, WY - Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, of Milton, Florida was shot and killed on July 4th after opening fire on a service entrance of a dining area with 200 people inside at Yellowstone National Park.
The assailant, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, had hours before held a woman at gunpoint. The woman alerted park rangers. The park rangers were able to locate and intercept Fussner before he could harm any civilians, encountering him around 8:00 a.m. as he opened fire near the dining area.
One of the rangers was wounded in the firefight. Several of them, including the wounded ranger, returned fire at Fussner, striking and killing him.
According to The Associated Press, rangers were alerted that Fussner had reportedly held a woman at gunpoint at a residence in Canyon Village, a lodging and dining area within the park's boundaries. The woman told park rangers that the gunman had threatened her and others and threatened to carry out a mass shooting at the Independence Day celebrations near the park.
As reported by The Daily Mail, the injured ranger was struck in the leg when Fussner fired upon law enforcement. The injured park ranger was taken to an area hospital in stable condition and has since been released.
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly told reporters via email that "numerous" rangers were involved in the firefight, but no others were injured, adding that the FBI is leading the investigation and the rangers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
"Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement rangers, many lives were saved here last Thursday," she said in a statement after the shooting. "These rangers immediately confronted this shooter and took decisive action to ensure he was no longer a threat to public safety. We are working now to provide maximum support to those involved and their families."
The outlet reported that Fussner was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a hospitality and travel company contracted to operate at many U.S. National Parks, including Yellowstone.
The assailant, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, had hours before held a woman at gunpoint. The woman alerted park rangers. The park rangers were able to locate and intercept Fussner before he could harm any civilians, encountering him around 8:00 a.m. as he opened fire near the dining area.
One of the rangers was wounded in the firefight. Several of them, including the wounded ranger, returned fire at Fussner, striking and killing him.
According to The Associated Press, rangers were alerted that Fussner had reportedly held a woman at gunpoint at a residence in Canyon Village, a lodging and dining area within the park's boundaries. The woman told park rangers that the gunman had threatened her and others and threatened to carry out a mass shooting at the Independence Day celebrations near the park.
As reported by The Daily Mail, the injured ranger was struck in the leg when Fussner fired upon law enforcement. The injured park ranger was taken to an area hospital in stable condition and has since been released.
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly told reporters via email that "numerous" rangers were involved in the firefight, but no others were injured, adding that the FBI is leading the investigation and the rangers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
"Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement rangers, many lives were saved here last Thursday," she said in a statement after the shooting. "These rangers immediately confronted this shooter and took decisive action to ensure he was no longer a threat to public safety. We are working now to provide maximum support to those involved and their families."
The outlet reported that Fussner was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a hospitality and travel company contracted to operate at many U.S. National Parks, including Yellowstone.
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Comments
2024-07-12T18:23-0400 | Comment by: Bruce
No bear spray? Even the parks are not safe. A VERY good reason to pack even in a National Park. All aside. I hope the injured officer is OK.
2024-07-13T08:29-0400 | Comment by: arthur
You're not safe anywhere, so carry everywhere...