Federal prosecutors revealed in court documents last week that Samson Fussner, 28, the individual accused of attempting a mass shooting in Yellowstone National Park last year, had expressed racist views prior to his planned attack. According to the documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Wyoming, Fussner had shared his intentions with his brother, outlining what prosecutors described as a potential “terror attack.”
Fussner was reported to have voiced his racist beliefs, along with discussions about his mental health challenges and his plans for mass violence, in various settings, including the employee dining room and a fireworks display in West Yellowstone, Montana, as detailed in the court filings.
Prosecutors further noted that Fussner had a history of espousing white supremacist and antisemitic ideologies, being an active participant in online forums dedicated to promoting such extremist views. As part of their legal action, prosecutors sought the forfeiture of the weapons, ammunition, and SUV confiscated from Fussner during the course of the investigation.
Court documents also indicated that Fussner had confided in his brother about his violent intentions shortly before his fatal encounter with park rangers. In text messages, Fussner disparaged individuals at Yellowstone using racial slurs, referring to the park as a “hellscape.”
Fussner, who was employed by a private enterprise authorized to operate within Yellowstone by the National Park Service, had allegedly expressed an obsession with a female colleague prior to the violent incident. The documents revealed that he had texted his brother about this woman, whom he later held captive in her dormitory room after she rebuffed his romantic advances.
On the evening of July 3, armed with a handgun and a knife, Fussner detained the woman for approximately two hours following her rejection of his romantic overtures. He concealed the firearm when her roommate arrived, fleeing the scene when the roommate briefly left the room. The woman promptly alerted security personnel employed by the private business associated with Fussner.
Law enforcement officials from the park service swiftly responded to the incident, surrounding the dormitory and the employee dining area. Fussner engaged in gunfire with park rangers the following morning after emerging from a wooded area, resulting in his demise during the exchange.
In a separate development, President Trump made headlines with his proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to step down from his position, eliciting speculation about the future of leadership in Canada. Trump also hinted at potential economic tactics to acquire Canada, although specifics regarding this statement were not provided.
