Yellowstone rangers, armed person exchange gunfire at national park

(NEXSTAR) – Law enforcement rangers at Yellowstone National Park confronted an armed individual at the park early Thursday morning, a Yellowstone spokesperson said.

The individual was killed after "an exchange of gunfire" with the rangers, the park said in a press release.

A ranger was also injured in the confrontation, but was recovering in a nearby hospital.

The rangers were responding to reports that a person armed with a firearm was making threats in the Canyon Village area overnight.

"When rangers contacted the individual there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and law enforcement rangers," the park said. "The subject is deceased."

The area around Canyon Lodge, which has more than 500 rooms and cabins for visitors, remained closed on the Fourth of July holiday as law enforcement investigated the shooting. The FBI and National Park Service are working together on the investigation.

The park did not release the identity of the deceased individual, nor the injured law enforcement ranger.