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Park Ranger Fatally Shot at Mt. Rainer National Park

January 02, 2012 |

A Mount Rainier National Park ranger was fatally shot following a New Year's Day traffic stop, and the 368-square-mile park in Washington state was closed as dozens of officers searched for the armed gunman over snowy and rugged terrain.

Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said late Sunday afternoon Benjamin Colton Barnes, a 24-year-old believed to have survivalist skills, was a "strong person of interest" in the slaying of Margaret Anderson. A parks spokesman said Barnes was an Iraq war veteran, and the mother of his child had alleged he suffered from post-traumatic stress following his deployments. Authorities recovered his vehicle, which had weapons and body armor inside, Troyer said.

Barnes was also a suspect in the early Sunday morning shooting of four people at a house party south of Seattle, reports the Associated Press.

Tags: Duty Deaths, Military-related, Park Rangers, Survivalists

Comments (3)

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3
Morning Eagle @ 1/2/2012 11:38 AM The New Year is not getting off to a good start for law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. PTSD is real enough and thousands of war vets suffer from varying degrees but they don't go around killing people. Hopefully this one wasn't unknowingly evacuated from the park along with everyone else and will be found frozen solid.
Ric Walters @ 1/2/2012 11:53 AM This serves as an unfortunate reminder that being a police officer, even in Paradise (for those who don't know, that's the name of one of the most popular places to visit at Mt. Rainier NP), is always dangerous. Prayers for Ranger Anderson's family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Commander Griffin / MPS D @ 1/3/2012 1:58 PM We are all sadden at the news of Ranger Anderson's death. Her dedication to duty and service to this Country will always be honored. Our prayers are with her family, and our support with our fellow LE family members.

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Morning Eagle @ 1/2/2012 11:38 AM

The New Year is not getting off to a good start for law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. PTSD is real enough and thousands of war vets suffer from varying degrees but they don't go around killing people. Hopefully this one wasn't unknowingly evacuated from the park along with everyone else and will be found frozen solid.

Ric Walters @ 1/2/2012 11:53 AM

This serves as an unfortunate reminder that being a police officer, even in Paradise (for those who don't know, that's the name of one of the most popular places to visit at Mt. Rainier NP), is always dangerous. Prayers for Ranger Anderson's family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Commander Griffin / MPS D @ 1/3/2012 1:58 PM

We are all sadden at the news of Ranger Anderson's death. Her dedication to duty and service to this Country will always be honored. Our prayers are with her family, and our support with our fellow LE family members.

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