Yellowstone National Park rangers successfully stopped a mass shooting planned by 28-year-old Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner from Milton, Florida, at a dining facility with approximately 200 people inside. The gunman was shot and killed by park rangers during the attack on Thursday morning. The lone shooter had told a woman, whom he held at gunpoint earlier, about his intentions to carry out a mass shooting, as reported by park officials on Tuesday. The incident led to the closure of Canyon Lodge, consisting of hotel rooms, cabins, and dining facilities, with some sections remaining shut down on Tuesday.
Fussner, who was employed by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the primary concessionaire for Yellowstone’s facilities, instigated the shooting at the entrance of the dining facility. Law enforcement rangers were alerted after Fussner threatened the woman with a gun at a residence in Canyon Village. He had also mentioned his plans to conduct a mass shooting at the July 4 events outside the park. Despite a swift response from more than 20 law enforcement rangers, including a park special response team, Fussner was not initially located.
The confrontation with Fussner occurred around 8 a.m. when law enforcement rangers intercepted him as he targeted the service entrance of the Canyon Lodge dining facility. Park officials revealed that several rangers fired at Fussner, resulting in his immediate death at the scene, with no other reported injuries from the incident. Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly commended the law enforcement rangers for their heroic actions that potentially saved many lives during the unfortunate event.
The FBI has taken over the investigation of the incident. Following National Park Service protocol, law enforcement rangers involved in a shooting are put on paid administrative leave while the matter is under investigation. Yellowstone park officials did not provide immediate information on whether any rangers were placed on leave following the shooting.