Shooting in Yellowstone National Park on July 4: Ranger injured, suspect dead

One person was dead and a park ranger was injured in a shooting at Yellowstone National Park in Canyon Village, Wyoming, park officials said Thursday morning.

The incident began Wednesday night and ended on the morning of July 4, according to a Yellowstone National Park news release. Rangers responded to a report of a person with a firearm making threatening remarks in Canyon Village, south of Tower Falls in the central part of the park.

When rangers made contact with the person, a gunfire exchange occurred. The person died. His identity was not released.

A Yellowstone National Park ranger was injured. The ranger, whose name was not released, is in stable condition and is being treated at the hospital.

The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from special agents from the National Park Service. An area around the Canyon Lodge complex remains closed as part of the investigation.

Park officials said there was no active threat to the public and no further information was available.

Todd Heskett told NBC News he was staying at the Canyon Village Hotel with his wife and two of their children, ages 14 and 22, when he heard gunshots coming from the Canyon Lodge restaurant around 8 a.m. local time.

He said he called 911 and the front desk and was told there was a shooting and was told to stay in his room.

The Canyon Lodge restaurant, visitor center and general store have been closed, Heskett said.

About an hour later, Heskett received an emergency alert on his phone informing him that the situation was under control and he could safely exit the building.