Utah park ranger shot, law hunts suspect in canyon

[onehandle]

Source: AP

MOAB, Utah – A Utah state park ranger was in critical condition after being shot three times, and authorities searched for his suspected attacker early Saturday around a rugged canyon west of Moab. Officers took positions around the canyon, including sharpshooters on ridges, and were waiting until sunrise to go after the suspect, Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland said.

The Utah state park law officer was wounded Friday night while patrolling the popular Poison Spider Mesa Trail, Parks spokeswoman Deena Loyola said. Nyland told The Associated Press that a man confronted the ranger in the parking lot shortly before 9 p.m. He said the ranger was shot in the arm, leg and the stomach area.

"The park ranger was able to call in on the radio and advised that he was shot," the sheriff's office said in a statement on its website. Nyland said the officer underwent surgery at St. Mary's hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., but didn't have further details on his condition. The hospital's media department declined to comment.

Law officers from several agencies, including two SWAT teams, hunted for the suspect and set up road blocks around Moab, in east-central Utah. Authorities think the suspect fled on foot into a canyon near the Colorado River, about 20 miles west of Moab. They weren't sure if he was alone.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101120/ap_on_re_us/us_park_officer_shot

[madokie]

1. Sounds like a hit to me

someone trying to get a point across maybe.

[rfranklin]

2. Teabagger Second Amendment remedy...

They've been threatening to do such things.

[breadandwine]

21. Maybe he thought his survivalist rights were threatened when toilet paper ran low at the 7-Eleven...

I wuz lissnin ter Glern Beck sayun bout the commies comin. Commies, Noka-reans, soshlists, ferners and Chi-coms. Theyz all comin!

Then - IT - happened: I dun run outa TERLET PAPER.

It wuz an obvious commie plot that only a buncha FLUORIDATORS from Miami coulda cooked up.

Theyz just KNEW us survivalists livin offa the GRID out in the woods would never go fer no stinkin RANGER WIPE lest the general store an the 7-Eleven was outa supplies.

THEY DID IT ON PURPOSE.

Immediately, ahz knew what ah hads ta do:

Second Amendment remedies, man an boy. Second Amendment remedies….

Necks time don take away mah guns an terlet paper.

Nuf said.

Every survival manual tell ya bout ranger wipe.

http://m.arktimes.com/gyrobase/ranger-wipe-world/Content?oid=949276

Cuz aint never terlet paper out in the woods. Terlet paperz the one thing that theyz never enough of at the genral store. They KNEW that when they cut supplies. It was a leftwing PLOT.

Just when you think you had it all figgerd out how ta live out in the wilderness wit no stinkin society an gubmint, they say, Oh really??? What about terlet paper?????????

THATZ why I had ta take Second Amendment ACTION.




Sure is good cookin armadillo out in the canyon though.

At least ah know ahm free.

Free manz steak, buddy. Free manz steak:





Mmm-MM!

Who needs beef when you can have --- LIZARD?




Civilized society STINKS!

[L.Torsalo]

30. Free man Steaks!!!

BTW, Armydildo ain't no lizerd. It's some kinda chikken...finger dropping Jansen's Chikken!!!

[slackmaster]

3. Meth head

Or some kind of personal issue.

[Dash87]

12. Yeah. Poor guy probably stumbled upon a Meth lab or something.

:(

[Kolesar]

4. as is typical on the internet. the comments section is frightful...em

[pattmarty]

5. Yep. Probably some Obama government hating Nazi/socialist.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

Had to use plenty of the "thingie" just in case someone took me seriously.

[tomm2thumbs]

6. Cheney hunting turkey for Thanksgiving again?

doesn't he ever learn?

[Bette Noir]

7. The comments on this thread aren't a great joy, either.

This is a man's life we're talking about. I hope the ranger will be okay.

If the shooter is on foot in those canyons, he may never be found. He could get away, or Mother Nature might get him, herself.

[glitch]

9. No kidding. And cuts to parks means these rangers don't travel in pairs.

Which puts them at greater risk. That should not be.

[kestrel91316]

8. Teabagger?

[rasputin1952]

10. Hope the ranger makes it OK, sounds like he'll make it if he's

talking.

The Poison Spider Mesa trail, why does that sound appropriate in this case? Maybe a Diamondback will get the shooter. Canyon's can be hard to exit, even if you know the specific canyon you are in. Seems to me, a FLIRS would pick up anything with a temp raised above the surrounding area, so it should not have been too hard to pick up the suspect, of course there are innumerable laces to hide, but any, if not all of the Rangers working the area would know most spots to hide.

[mvd]

13. Yes, I saw critical BUT stable condition, so hopefully he'll be ok

:hi:

[bluedigger]

11. This is a trail riding area.

Poison Spider Mesa Trail is a well known and traveled area, very popular in the four wheeling community. The article described it as a bike trail, but I know it as one of many in the Moab area, which is a "mecca" for four wheelers. It is remote and difficult terrain, but it isn't wilderness, and is especially popular on holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving. The perpetrator won't be alone out there by any means. I hope they catch him quickly, and that the officer recovers!

[CreekDog]

17. I think that's where they filmed that final scene of Thelma and Louise

It feels more isolated than it is.

It's a beautiful area and somehow I got my 2 wheel drive car out there and back despite the craziness of the area.

[bluedigger]

20. I haven't been there yet, but I've been studying up.

You took a two wheel drive car on Poison Spider Trail?:wow:

Or just in the general area? :shrug:

Check out the first few pictures in this thread from JeepForum.com :

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f58/moab-2010-three-trips-lots-pics-1119773/

Yeah, I'm skeptical...:D

There are also some pictures with the Colorado River later in the post for those who are curious about the general area and terrain.

[newspeak]

35. I lived in Moab-it's been about ten years ago

You're right, it's very harsh terrain. There's slick rock and sheer drop offs. Once I was hiking on slick rock with a drop off (in that area) and I looked down-there was a dead mountain lion. My first thought was he missed the jump. This time of year, it's pretty cold at night.

At the time I lived there, I knew a couple of rangers there. Even then, they were laying off people. Such a beautiful, wondrous place, but if you don't think, it can be deadly.

All good thoughts go to the ranger, and hope they find the culprit.

[XemaSab]

14. This is depressing

I have friends who are rangers in New Mexico, and they had a baby earlier in the week. :(

[rasputin1952]

15. There's an update on this:

MOAB, Utah – Officers searching for a gunman in a rugged Utah canyon Saturday were believed to be closing in on the suspect accused of shooting and critically wounding a park ranger, authorities said.

Grand County Sheriff James Nyland said officers were able to pickup the man's footprints and found his rifle and backpack along the Colorado River, about 22 miles southwest of Moab.

<snip>

Authorities are focusing on the canyon because the suspect's silver Pontiac Grand Am was found nearby, about eight miles southwest of the shooting site. They're not sure whether the suspect is alone.

"It's where the Colorado River goes into the canyon, so there are steep cliffs on both sides and other than walking up the river, he doesn't have anywhere else to go," Nyland told the Deseret News on Saturday, adding that authorities have contained the entire area.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101120/ap_on_re_us/us_park_officer_shot

[bluedigger]

16. I wonder if he went into the river?

Abandoning his pack and rifle seems like an odd survival strategy.:shrug:

We could be waiting a long time for a resolution on this one if he did...

[rasputin1952]

18. Good possibility...

I'd think they would have covered downriver though. I'm surprised the FLIRS didn't pick him up, he would have had a pretty heavy heat signature. Shooting a Ranger then huffing it down into the canyon must have had him really sweating...:shrug:

[rasputin1952]

19. Another update:

"Searchers later found a tattered, bloody T-shirt that the suspect may have used to stanch a heavily bleeding wound, the sheriff said.

"We're going to put the blood hounds on that and see what they turn up," he told the Tribune.

The search near Dead Horse State Park began after Utah State Parks Ranger Brody Young, 34, of Moab, was shot three times Friday night while patrolling the popular Poison Spider Mesa Trail, authorities said."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101120/ap_on_re_us/us_park_officer_shot

[catgirl]

22. Dead Horse State Park is not very big

However, the canyon is a long way down. I wonder if the river has calmer sections in that area. I was there
two years ago this week! We only saw four other people there. It's not as popular as Arches, and other
parks.

[wordpix]

23. Park rangers now have police duties & it's really dangerous

Having to face every kind of wacko in remote places.

[Hannah Bell]

24. they should never have opened the parks up to vehicles imo.

when everyone has to walk in, less crime.

this link makes me sad.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f58/moab-2010-three-trips-lots-pics-1119773/

[bluedigger]

26. I didn't want to make you sad, Hannah Bell.

I expected someone to protest it, though. The country is a big place with plenty of room for everybody to pursue their chosen recreational activities. I'm pretty sure the average resident of Moab is happy that it is known for it's great trails for four wheeling, and grateful for the employment that is provided. :shrug:

I also don't understand why walking in would reduce crime. Limiting access would certainly lead to less people and therefore less crime, but that would apply anywhere, including your own neighborhood. Or do you equate off road clubs with the Hell's Angels or something?:shrug:

[Hannah Bell]

28. nothing personal, but i associate off-road clubs with the destruction of trails, landscape & plants

+ drunken noisy parties, plus annoying traffic noise when i'm supposedly hiking out in "unspoiled nature". (by off-road i include snowmobiles & those little motorcycles).

in my experience.

not with crime especially -- but i associate people in general being easily able to pack things into the back country using motor vehicles with crime.

yeah, fewer roads in the backcountry = fewer people in the backcountry. i don't have a problem with that. when you put roads into the backcountry it's no longer backcountry, it's just like everyplace else.

just my opinion, nothing personal, but i go to the wilderness for wilderness.

[bluedigger]

31. Sounds to me like you just want it all to yourself.

"destruction of trails, landscape & plants" - that would be human activity in general. Organized clubs are pretty good at maintaining trails in their areas so that they will be available for future enjoyment. Most participants are much more enlightened than in previous decades, and are very good about confining their activity to accepted areas, because they don't want to lose future access.

ATV's and dirt bikes tend to do most of the damage, IMO, for reasons of increased maneuverability, lower entry costs for participants, etc... I think the biggest complaint about snowmobiles is noise and ignoring property boundaries. These are some valid complaints, but it would be nice for "four wheelers" to not be automatically lumped in with them.

As for "drunken noisy parties", well, I don't know too many people who think it is "cool" to turn the expensive vehicle they have spent ridiculous amounts of time and money on into a piece of junk because they were drinking and trail riding. We do enjoy a bevy at the campsite or back at the motel, though. :beer: Most groups will ostracize or flat out not tolerate alcohol on the trail - you might wreck their rig. :spank:

In short, I think your issue is one of intolerance based on some bad experiences caused either by unrealistic expectations, or poor trip planning. I also backpack, and I know there are plenty of places I can go that I won't have to deal with other people if I don't care to, and will have a great experience.
No personal offense taken - just trying to present the other side of the story. :hi:

[wordpix]

38. I've had bad experiences just sharing a park or trail with ORVs, without drunken idiocy

ORVs are loud and polluting. They interfere with my reverie and bird watching and wildlife viewing.

[newspeak]

36. well, I agree Hannah

since I lived in Moab and have hiked the area after major four wheeling events. It's not bad if they stay on the trails, however, some don't and you can see the environmental damage. The ecosystem in that area is somewhat delicate--the soil "crusts" "cryptobionic" and in certain areas is not to be disturbed.

I'm not against four wheeling IF they stay on the trails. Of course, we had some young'uns who went four wheeling and went off the trail, also went off the cliff.

[wordpix]

37. I'm with you---we have enough roads & everything that comes with them; we don't need ORVs in parks

I go to wilderness for wilderness, too.

[Lasher]

25. Yet another update

Suspect in Utah park ranger's shooting is at large

(CNN) -- Scores of law enforcement officers are scouring rugged terrain in Utah for a wounded man they say repeatedly shot a park ranger, authorities said.

"He is wounded, and on foot," said Grand County, Utah, Sheriff Jim Nyland, who is leading the search.

<snip>

The ranger had stopped the man in his vehicle, then was shot in the arm, leg and stomach as the two exchanged gunfire, according to CNN affiliate KSL.

<snip>

Bloodhounds on Saturday picked up a scent leading into an area with multiple canyons and places to hide, the sheriff said. The suspect's silver car was found the previous day, leading investigators to believe he had walked into the park.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/20/utah.ranger.shot/

So Ranger Brody pulled ths suspect over and a gunfight ensued. Brody was hit 3 times but managed to wound the suspect. Bloodhounds are on the suspect's trail, having picked up his scent from a bloody t-shirt, rifle, and backpack that he had left behind.

If the suspect had left his silver Grand Prix the previous day to walk into the park, whose car was he driving when Brody pulled him over?

[bluedigger]

27. It's not very well reported.

I'm getting used to that - do they even teach journalism anymore?

My interpretation is that the suspect was pulled over Friday evening, the gunfight ensued, and the suspect then fled the scene in his car, which he ditched at the park down the road (where they found it Friday, the PREVIOUS day to the reporting), and then entered the canyon.

Reading between the lines, I wouldn't be surprised if it was an OUI stop, and the intoxicated driver made some spur of the moment decision that he will regret a lot more than a possible license suspension or revocation. Of course meth is everywhere out there, too. Just speculation on my part.

[Lasher]

29. You've got that right.

According to this AP story he abandoned the Grand Am after the gunfight, then fled into the canyon on foot. That makes more sense. It says the car's registered owner was from the Salt Lake City area so I guess the suspect doesn't own the car.

[bluedigger]

32. Another update.

They still haven't caught the suspect yet, but they have released a name:
"Investigators on Sunday identified Lance Leeroy Arellano, 40, of Sanpete County, Utah, as the "person of interest" in the shooting. Arrellano has a criminal record including assault, drug and theft charges, according to police records."
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AL3ZW20101122

A big storm moved across the Western Slope Sunday. Unless he has really good survival skills, or made his way out of the area, I think they'll find a dead man... He's been out there for over two days now.

[slackmaster]

33. "Arrellano has a criminal record including assault, drug and theft charges"

[bluedigger]

34. Yeah, I was expecting a church choir director...

:9