On the morning of July 4 , Yellowstone National Park was the scene of a dramatic and life-saving intervention. Park officials revealed that Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, a 28-year-old from Milton, Florida, who was shot dead by park rangers, had plans to carry out a mass shooting later that day.
The incident unfolded in the early hours when Fussner, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, held a woman against her will at the park’s Canyon Village complex. The woman informed park rangers that Fussner had threatened to kill her and others, and had plans to attack July 4th events outside the park.
A rapid response team of over 20 National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement rangers, including the park’s special response team, located Fussner near Canyon Lodge. This area, bustling with 200 people at the time, includes employee housing and public dining facilities and is a popular spot for tourists.
Armed with a semi-automatic rifle, Fussner approached the service entrance of the facility, firing shots. The rangers engaged him in a gunfight, ultimately shooting and killing him. One ranger sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was hospitalized, but has since been released. No other injuries were reported.
Details released on Tuesday painted a picture of a narrowly averted disaster. Fussner’s social media showed him celebrating his new job at Yellowstone with photos of his employee badge and scenic park views, giving no hint of his violent intentions.
Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly praised the swift and decisive actions of the rangers. “These rangers immediately confronted this shooter and took decisive action to ensure he was no longer a threat to public safety,” Sholly said. “We are working now to provide maximum support to those involved and their families.”
The FBI, with assistance from NPS special agents and the Department of the Interior, is leading the investigation into the incident.
Yellowstone, renowned for its stunning landscapes and geothermal features, attracted over 4.5 million visitors in 2023. Thanks to the heroic actions of the park rangers, a potentially catastrophic event was prevented, allowing the park to continue being a place of beauty and wonder.
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Contributor: Associated Press.
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