Credited from: ABCNEWS
In a disturbing revelation, federal prosecutors have uncovered alarming racist rants and violent intentions from Samson Fussner, the man involved in a deadly encounter with law enforcement at Yellowstone National Park last July. According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court for Wyoming, Fussner exhibited extremist views and made threats months before he attempted a mass shooting.
Fussner, 28, described his disdain for "race-traitors" who support non-whites or Jews in messages to his brother, emphasizing a long-standing pattern of white supremacist ideologies. In a series of texts leading up to the incident, he expressed his anger towards diversity in his home area, branding it a "hellscape." The filing highlights that Fussner's intentions were not spontaneous; he allegedly engaged in "planning of and preparation to carry out a terrorist attack against the United States," culminating in the events leading to his confrontation with park rangers [ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/alleged-racist-rants-yellowstone-park-shooter-uncovered-new/story?id=117414586).
According to these court documents, Fussner had also shared with his brother disturbing fantasies about committing violence at various locations within the national park, including the employee dining room and during a fireworks display in West Yellowstone, Montana. He was known to be an active member of a website advocating for white supremacy and antisemitism. Prosecutors have filed for the forfeiture of his seized weapons, ammunition, and SUV in connection with the incident [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yellowstone-shooting-gunman-racist-views/).
On the night of July 3, Fussner reportedly held a woman hostage in her dorm room for about two hours, brandishing a handgun and a knife. He concealed the firearm just before her roommate arrived. Upon exiting the dormitory complex, he opened fire on Yellowstone law enforcement rangers, resulting in his death during the exchange of gunfire. Remarkably, there were around 200 people present at the dining facility he targeted at the time of his attack.
This case highlights the serious, often deadly outcomes of extremist beliefs and the importance of vigilance in identifying potential threats to public safety.