CANYON VILLAGE, WY – An alarming incident unfolded in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, with one individual dead and a park ranger injured following a shooting. Yellowstone National Park officials confirmed that the event occurred on Thursday morning in Canyon Village.
The narrative took a violent turn on Wednesday night and concluded on Thursday morning, according to the Park’s press release. Park rangers responded to a report of an armed individual reportedly making threats at Canyon Village, a region nested in the heart of the significant National Park, just south of Tower Falls.
Upon interaction with the rangers, the as-yet-unidentified individual exchanged gunfire, resulting in his death. A Yellowstone law enforcement ranger was injured during the shooting. The ranger has not been named but is recovering in stable condition at a hospital.
As investigations continue, the FBI is overseeing the case, with support from National Park Service special agents. This probe has led to a restricted area around the Canyon Lodge complex, for the time being. Officials assure the public that current threats have been neutralized, but other aspects of the case remain undisclosed.
A visitor to the Park, Todd Heskett, recounted his experience. He happened to be lodging at the Canyon Village hotel with his family when gunshots echoed from the Canyon Lodge eatery around 8 a.m. Following a call to 911, Heskett was instructed to stay in his room due to the active shooter situation. About an hour later, Heskett received an emergency alert on his phone, declaring the situation resolved and safe.