A man who was shot and killed by a park ranger during a July 4 shootout in Yellowstone National Park has been identified as 28-year-old Samson “Lucas” Fussner from Florida. The Park County, Wyoming, coroner released his name earlier today.
“An exchange of gunfire”
Park officials have released scant information. A single news release from July 4 says that law enforcement rangers responded to a report of a man with a gun making threats. “When rangers contacted the individual there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and law enforcement rangers,” the release continued. “The subject is deceased. We are not releasing the individual’s identity at this time.”
One park ranger was injured in the Yellowstone park shootout and was treated at an area hospital. The FBI took over the investigation and has released little information.
Hostage taken before Yellowstone park shootout
An audio recording of a law enforcement dispatcher indicates that Fussner allegedly took a hostage prior to the shootout. “Looks like he held a female hostage by gunpoint and threatened suicide by cop,” says a dispatcher from Park County, Wyoming, while issuing a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Fussner and his car.
“He’s believed to have a pistol and possibly other, larger weapons in his possession, as well as a knife,” the dispatcher announced. The BOLO indicated that Fussner had allegedly threatened to “shoot up” a fireworks display and had left the park sometime Wednesday night.
Apparently, Fussner didn’t leave the park at all, and the next morning things broke loose. One couple that was staying in the nearby campground told local media reporters they heard at least 100 shots fired, presumably in the standoff with rangers.
Man apparently a contractor employee
A Facebook page belonging to a user named Lucas Fussner has been found, featuring an image of a Yellowstone Xanterra employee ID badge issued to Samson Fussner. Xanterra operates the Canyon Lodge Complex, the location of the July 4 shootout. The coroner has confirmed the suspect’s full name as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner.
Following the incident, both the lodge and the nearby RV campground were shut down. They are set to reopen today, Monday, July 8.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 WOW!!! I am happy that only one person was injured by the shooter, but I wonder how many were terrorized? Surely the one taken hostage was, perhaps others too. My goodness! It is a crazy world at times and in some places, huh? Thank you for passing this along. As more becomes available, please update this story as you can. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
You said it all for me Neal…
👍🙂😊
Guns (any gun) should not be allowed in ANY national or state park.
How do you propose to enforce that? And why?
Right, because that’ll deter criminals, who are already committed to breaking laws, from committing additional crimes with a firearm. Why stop there Ron? Let’s also outlaw knives, sticks and automobiles too. We’ll finally be safe! Just look at how successful the strict gun laws are in New York and Chicago.
Don’t forget California. A man was just charged with murder who had just a year before, been found guilty of robbing a man at gunpoint of his Rolex. He was already a convicted felon at the time of that crime. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail but then given 2 years’ probation and community service by the judge. How many felonies do you have to have before the liberals actually make you serve time in jail?
I disagree, we need to protect ourself from the crazy people. You never know when or where one will pop up.
Short sighted Ron. More legally owned guns equals less crime. It has been proven time and time again.
Where is that proof?
Yup, because “gun free zones” save lives. After all schools are supposed to be “gun free zones”, and we NEVER hear about shootings in schools, oh, no, never… <<sarc>>
And we just left there on the 3rd!!!
Whew, you maybe caught a break !