Chilling details have emerged about a gunman’s alleged plot in Yellowstone National Park before he was stopped by rangers.
Samson Fussner, 28, was shot and killed July 4 in a shootout with park rangers as families gathered at the memorial to celebrate the holiday weekend.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after midnight after receiving reports that a woman had been held against her will with a gun, before the gunman fled and rangers launched an hours-long search across the park.
Early in the morning, Fussner was confronted and shot dead by rangers when he began firing a semi-automatic rifle toward a building with approximately 200 people inside.
The woman he held captive later said he detailed a plot to carry out mass terror shootings at Fourth of July parties at the national park, according to reports. KRT Television.
Samson Fussner, 28, was shot and killed July 4 in a shootout with Yellowstone Park rangers after allegedly taking a woman captive before threatening to carry out a mass shooting.
Yellowstone park rangers searched the park before coming across Fussner around 8 a.m., where he was shot and killed when he tried to open fire on a building full of people.
Fussner, originally from Milton, Florida, was employed by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a travel and hospitality company that operates several U.S. national parks, including Yellowstone.
When the first calls were made to 911, it was reported that the suspect had fled into the park and was believed to be armed and dangerous.
Rangers tactically positioned themselves in the park to protect families and employees on vacation while the search continued.
Around 8 a.m., police officers stationed near Canyon Lodge, an area in the center of the park designated for employee housing and soup kitchens, encountered Fussner outside when he began shooting.
Law enforcement conducted an hours-long manhunt for Fussner throughout Yellowstone, describing him as “armed and dangerous.”
Fussner, originally from Milton, Florida, was employed by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a hotel travel company.
The rangers reportedly encountered Fussner as they were strategically positioned around the park to protect tourists and employees.
With hundreds of people inside, Fussner opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle. It is unclear whether he managed to reach the building before being brought down.
This led to a shootout outside the building, where Fussner was fatally shot and a ranger was shot in the leg.
Fussner received emergency aid from rangers after being shot, but was pronounced dead at the scene, while the wounded ranger was taken to the hospital in stable condition. They have since been released.
Witnesses took to social media as the chaos began, saying they were told to hide in their hotel rooms during the active shooter situation.
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said in an email to staff that “numerous” other rangers were also involved in the shooting, but no one else was injured.
Fussner was pronounced dead at the scene, and the ranger he shot survived and was released from the hospital.
The investigation into the shooting is being led by the FBI and the rangers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
In a statement after the shooting, Sholly praised the efforts of rangers and said support would be offered to the victims.
“Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement officers, many lives were saved here last Thursday,” Sholly said.
“These rangers immediately engaged the shooter and took decisive action to ensure he was no longer a threat to public safety. We are now working to provide maximum support to those involved and their families.”