YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Almost two years after a man’s plans to carry out a mass shooting in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) were foiled , the U.S. Attorney’s Office has announced that money generated from the sale of the firearms and car involved will be used for victim restitution.
According to the announcement, on the evening of July 3, 2024, Samson Fussner held a woman at gunpoint for two hours at YNP’s Canyon Village, telling her he intended to carry out a mass shooting in the park on the Fourth of July. He fled sometime around midnight, hiding in the park. National Park Service law enforcement sought Fussner while establishing a perimeter around his intended targets. Fussner exited the forest around 8 a.m. on July 4; he began firing a semiautomatic rifle when confronted by law enforcement. After a shootout, Fussner was dead. One law enforcement ranger sustained “severe injuries to his foot,” per the Attorney’s Office.
Fussner had also brought with him a Glock pistol and many magazines of ammunition for the planned attack. He had also positioned a 2021 Nissan Rogue to be a getaway car, inside of which was another pistol, a shotgun and more ammunition.
“In response to this violent attack, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought forfeiture of the Nissan and all firearms, magazines, and ammunition used by Fussner,” the announcement reads. “Both Fussner’s father and brother attempted to claim the assets, including the attempted murder weapon, but were unsuccessful. Federal law provides for forfeiture of assets derived from or used to facilitate certain crimes including drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, or terrorism. Forfeited assets are sold so that the proceeds can be used for a variety of purposes, including restitution to crime victims.”
The forfeiture of the four firearms, ammunition and vehicle were completed on March 9.
