Yellowstone rangers, gunman exchange gunfire in national park

(NEXSTAR) – Law enforcement rangers at Yellowstone National Park confronted an armed individual in the park early Thursday morning, a Yellowstone spokesperson said.

The individual was killed after “an exchange of gunfire” with rangers, the park said in a statement.

A forest ranger was also injured in the clash, but was recovering at a nearby hospital.

Rangers were responding to reports of a person armed with a firearm making threats in the Canyon Village area overnight.

“When rangers contacted the individual, there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and law enforcement rangers,” the park said. “The subject is deceased.”

The area around Canyon Lodge, which has more than 500 guest rooms and cabins, remained closed over the July 4 holiday as law enforcement investigated the shooting. The FBI and the National Park Service are working together on the investigation.

The park has not released the identity of the deceased or the injured ranger.