Florida man identified as a shooter in Yellowstone shooting

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wy. (WJHG/WECP) - On the morning of July 4, Yellowstone National Park law enforcement confronted an individual shooting a semi-automatic rifle toward a dining facility.

According to park officials, the shooter has been identified by the corner as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner of Milton, Florida.

Officers said Fussner died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and will be reviewed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.

Park officials said on July 4, Yellowstone’s 9-1-1 center received a report that a woman had been held against her will by a man with a gun at a residence at Canyon Village. Officers said 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 the July 4th events outside of the park.

Responding rangers located his vehicle unoccupied in the canyon area. The preliminary investigation indicated Fussner was likely armed and dangerous.

Law enforcement said with the individual at large, rangers were deployed to protect areas with park visitors and employees while searching for Fussner.

By the early hours of July 4, officials said over 20 National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement rangers, including the park’s special response team, were working to protect people and locate Fussner.

Around 8 a.m., law enforcement said they were posted near Canyon Lodge when they encountered Fussner.

The suspect reportedly walked toward the service entrance of the facility while firing a semi-automatic rifle. The building was occupied by approximately 200 people at the time.

Law enforcement reported several rangers engaged with Fussner. During an exchange of gunfire, Fussner was shot by law enforcement rangers.

A ranger was also shot during the incident.

Fussner reportedly died at the scene, the injured ranger was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

“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. 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.”

Fussner was an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a private business authorized to operate in Yellowstone.

The FBI, with support from the NPS, Xanterra, and other partners, is providing victim/witness support to anyone who was involved in the incident.

NPS said the policy for law enforcement-involved shooting calls for involved law enforcement rangers to be placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation of the incident. Consistent with Department of the Interior and NPS policies, the NPS will release available body-worn camera footage of the incident within 30 days.