An individual with a firearm who was reportedly making threats in Yellowstone National Park is dead after an exchange of gunfire with park rangers, according to the National Park Service.
“There was a significant law enforcement incident at Canyon Village in the central part of Yellowstone National Park overnight and this morning,” the service said in a July 4 press release.
It said that rangers responded to a call, and when they contacted the individual there was an exchange of gunfire. One Yellowstone law enforcement park ranger was injured. They were transported to a nearby hospital and are in stable condition.
As of this time, the National Parks Service has not released the identity of the deceased subject.
Since July 4 is a federal holiday, many Americans have the day off work and partake in recreational activities. During the month of July last year, Yellowstone National Park hosted 969,692 recreation visits.
According to the park service, there were no active threats to the public at the park as of Thursday afternoon. An area around the Canyon Lodge complex remained closed Thursday for an investigation into the incident.
“The FBI is leading the investigation with support from National Park Service special agents,” said the press release. “Details around this incident are under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.”