BOISE, Idaho — Yellowstone National Park officials on Tuesday released an update regarding a shootout that left one person dead and a ranger injured on July 4.
The coroner of Park County, Wyoming, identified the man killed in the shooting as 28-year-old Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner of Milton, Florida. Authorities said Fussner was allegedly armed with a semi-automatic rifle and threatened to carry out a mass shooting. He died after a shootout with Yellowstone National Park rangers.
Park officials said around midnight on July 4, dispatch received a report from a woman who said she was being held against her will by Fussner, who had a gun at a home at Canyon Village.
She also told authorities, "Fussner threatened to kill her and others, including plans to allegedly carry out a mass shooting(s) at July 4th events outside the park," according to Tuesday's news release.
Fussner's vehicle was later found vacant in the Canyon area, and he was deemed armed and dangerous, authorities said. In the early hours, more than 20 rangers were placed around Yellowstone to protect those at the park and to find Fussner.
Rangers found Fussner around 8 a.m. near the Canyon Lodge, which houses more than 200 people, shooting a semi-automatic rifle into the service entrance to the building, officials said. Several rangers and law enforcement began shooting at Fussner, who started to shoot back. A ranger was shot in the lower part of his body, and Fussner was also shot.
Fussner died at the scene, per Yellowstone National Park. The ranger who was shot was treated at the scene and later taken to the hospital for his injuries in stable condition. He has since been released.
Due to National Park Service policy, the law enforcement rangers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, and their body camera footage will be released in 30 days, authorities said.
Park officials said Fussner was an employee of a business called Xanterra Parks and Resorts that operates in Yellowstone.
The FBI and the National Park Service are providing support to those affected by the shooting.
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