MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Yellowstone National Park law enforcement rangers confronted a gunman on July 4 who was firing a semi-automatic rifle toward a dining facility at Canyon Village, according to park officials. The shooter, identified as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, of Milton, Florida, died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement.
The incident began just after midnight when Yellowstone’s 911 dispatch center received a report from a woman who said she had been held against her will by Fussner. The woman, who was at a residence in Canyon Village, reported that Fussner threatened to kill her and others, and allegedly planned to carry out mass shootings at July 4 events outside the park.
Law enforcement rangers found Fussner’s unoccupied vehicle in the Canyon area and began searching for him, deploying over 20 NPS law enforcement rangers, including the park’s special response team, to protect visitors and employees.
Around 8 a.m., rangers near Canyon Lodge encountered Fussner as he approached the facility’s service entrance while firing a semi-automatic rifle. The building housed approximately 200 people at the time. Several rangers engaged Fussner, resulting in an exchange of gunfire during which Fussner was shot. One ranger was also shot in a lower extremity but has since been released from the hospital.
Fussner, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, died at the scene despite emergency medical aid from law enforcement rangers. The FBI, with support from the NPS, Xanterra, and other partners, is providing support to anyone involved in the incident.
NPS policy mandates that involved law enforcement rangers be placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. The NPS will release body-worn camera footage of the incident within 30 days.
“Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement rangers, many lives were saved here last Thursday,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “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 FBI is leading the investigation, which is being reviewed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.
There are no active threats to the public, and the area around the Canyon Lodge complex remains closed for the investigation. Further details are under investigation and will be released as available.
