Xanterra issues statement in response to July 4 shooting in Yellowstone National Park

Xanterra Parks and Resorts, owner and operator of lodging in Yellowstone National Park, issued a statement Tuesday in response to the July 4 shooting involving one of its employees at the Canyon Lodge in the park.

Xanterra expressed its “deepest condolences” to those affected by the incident that resulted in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner of Florida, a Xanterra employee. The company said it is offering counseling and support services to its employees in Yellowstone.

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Xanterra said in the statement that it is working to return all Canyon Lodge facilities to normal operations, with the safety and well-being of employees, guests and the wider community being its highest priority.

A limited number of select rooms and most visitor services opened at Canyon Lodge on Tuesday, July 9. All remaining accommodations are expected to reopen on Wednesday, July 10.

You can read Xanterra’s statement below:

We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred on July 4th in Yellowstone National Park involving a Xanterra employee. We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this incident.

We continue to cooperate fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Park Service (NPS) in their investigation of this incident. The safety and well-being of our employees, guests and the wider public is our top priority and we are committed to providing a safe environment for all.

We would like to thank the NPS Police Rangers again for their incredible efforts in resolving the situation. In conjunction with NPS support resources, Xanterra is providing counseling and support services to its Yellowstone employees.

We are working diligently to return all of our facilities in the Canyon Lodge area to normal operations. We thank our Xanterra employees for navigating these difficult issues and for being so dedicated to serving our guests and our company. We also thank all of our guests for their kindness, patience and understanding in dealing with our employees as we continue to navigate these events and their travel disruptions.

A limited number of select rooms and most visitor services opened today, July 9, at Canyon Lodge. All remaining accommodations (including the Western Cabins and two of the seven guest lodges) will reopen tomorrow, July 10. Food service in the Eatery will begin serving dinner today, July 9, at 5:00 p.m. Food service will resume at normal hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner beginning July 10. The M66 Lounge will open tonight, July 9. Regularly scheduled tours will resume today, July 9, from Canyon Lodge.