Yellowstone National Park on Thursday released body-worn video footage from a July 4, 2024, shooting at Canyon Village.
The shoot-out between park rangers and an armed person who was threatening people resulted in the gunman - later identified as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner of Florida - being shot dead.
Just after midnight on July 4, Yellowstone’s 911 dispatch center received a report that a woman had been held against her will by a man with a gun in a residence at Canyon Village.
Fussner was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a private business authorized to operate in Yellowstone.
YNP officials said in a news release that the community briefing video is intended to help community members gain a better understanding of what happened during the incident and is part of the National Park Service’s established protocol regarding officer-involved shootings.
The video contains graphic content and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised:
The news release states, "All information in the community briefing video is based on the details currently available. Some images and audio in this video have been altered or concealed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved."
According to the news release, the incident is still being investigated.
The investigation includes the actions taken by NPS law enforcement officers and is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(JULY 10, 2024) Officials say the gunman killed in an exchange of gunfire with Yellowstone National Park law enforcement rangers on July 4 had plans to carry out mass shootings that day.
Authorities were alerted of the suspect when a call came into Yellowstone’s 911 dispatch center just after midnight on July 4. A woman said she was held against her will by a man with a gun outside a home at Canyon Village.
The woman also shared the threats made by the suspect, identified by authorities as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner.
She “reported to law enforcement rangers that Fussner threatened to kill her and others, including plans to allegedly carry out a mass shooting(s) at July 4th events outside the park,” said a press release from Yellowstone National Park.
Law enforcement rangers located his unoccupied vehicle and a search began for the suspect. Rangers had been deployed in the area to protect park visitors and employees.
At around 8 a.m. on July 4, law enforcement located the suspect. He had been shooting a semi-automatic rifle toward a dining facility at Canyon Village. That’s when an exchange of gunfire ensued, leading to his death.
A law enforcement ranger had been shot in a lower extremity during the exchange. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition and has since been released, the park said.
Fussner, 28, of Milton, Florida, was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which is a private business operating in the park.
"Thanks to the heroic actions of our law enforcement rangers, many lives were saved here last Thursday," said Superintendent Cam Sholly, in a press release.
"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. We appreciate the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and many other partners as we continue to manage through the aftermath of this incident," Sholly said.
