On the morning of July 4th, a potentially devastating situation was averted thanks to the swift actions of park rangers. Here’s what happened:
Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, a 28-year-old from Milton, Florida, was shot dead by park rangers after he held a woman against her will and threatened to carry out a mass shooting later that day.
The National Park Service (NPS) revealed that the woman informed rangers of Fussner’s threats, which included plans to attack July 4th events outside the park. Fussner was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a private company authorized to operate in Yellowstone.
The confrontation began when more than 20 NPS law enforcement rangers, including the park’s special response team, located Fussner near Canyon Lodge around 8 a.m. The lodge, housing employees and public dining rooms was bustling with around 200 people at the time.
As Fussner approached the service entrance with a semi-automatic rifle, he began firing. Law enforcement rangers immediately engaged him, resulting in a shootout. Fussner was shot and killed, while one ranger sustained a gunshot wound to a lower extremity but has since been released from the hospital. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
The details, disclosed by park officials, reveal a harrowing scenario that could have turned tragic if not for the decisive actions of the rangers.
Fussner’s Facebook page showed no signs of anger or motivation for such violence. His posts were filled with pride about working at Yellowstone, including photos of his employee badge and scenic snapshots from mid-May.
Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly praised the law enforcement rangers, stating, “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, with support from NPS special agents and the Department of the Interior. The motive behind Fussner’s actions remains unclear, adding to the complexity of the investigation.
