Canyon starts limited reopening as July 4 shooting details emerge

By Kate Ready
Justice Reporter
Kate_Ready

Kate Ready covers criminal justice and emergency news. Originally from Denver, Kate studied English Literature at UC Berkeley and is excited to bring her love for the mountains and storytelling to Jackson.

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Jul 8, 2024
Jul 8, 2024 Updated Jul 8, 2024
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A Thursday shootout in Canyon Village left the alleged perpetrator dead, and one Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officer injured.
NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A Thursday shootout in Canyon Village left the alleged perpetrator dead, and one Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officer injured.
NPS / Jacob W. Frank

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Before Samson “Lucas” Fussner was killed in an exchange of gunfire on the Fourth of July in Yellowstone National Park, law enforcement audio alleges the 28-year-old had held a female hostage at gunpoint and threatened “suicide by cop.”

The BOLO (be on the lookout) alert names Fussner and warns that he “threatened to shoot up a fireworks show somewhere in West Yellowstone or Montana” and was “believed to have a pistol, possibly other large weapons as well as a knife.” The one-minute-and-50-second recording also describes Fussner as fleeing the park in a silver 2021 Nissan Rogue with Florida plates. Fussner was believed to be traveling alone and last seen leaving Yellowstone “heading in an unknown direction,” according to the scanner audio.

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Samson Fussner's public profile picture on his Facebook page. FACEBOOK

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Kate_Ready

Kate Ready covers criminal justice and emergency news. Originally from Denver, Kate studied English Literature at UC Berkeley and is excited to bring her love for the mountains and storytelling to Jackson.

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