Bundy, protesters arrested, shots fired; spokesperson killed

Update (02/26 10:25pm)  — Burns, Ore. — A near month long occupation of federal land in Burns by a small group of protesters came to a violent climax this afternoon.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Ammon Bundy and four of his followers were arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop along Highway 395. Shots were fired shortly after the stop, but it’s unclear who fired first. Law enforcement said Lavoy Finicum died in the shoot out. Finicum acted as a spokesperson for the group.

In a past interview Finicum called the refuge a symbol for the fight against the federal government, and his demands remained clear.

“It is that the federal government shall never have access to these buildings again,” he said.

One other person suffered non-life threatening injuries. A hospital near where the shooting occurred was on lock down, but it’s unknown if it’s related to the arrests.

Another protester was arrested in a separate event.

Bundy and others started protesting the sentencing of two ranchers convicted of arson. But the march supporting the ranchers turned into the occupation of the wildlife refuge on January 2nd. Protesters say they’re angry over what they call government overreach on federal lands.

Authorities plan to charge all the defendants with a federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats.

A news conference will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce.


 

Burns, Ore. — Authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, leader of the protest at Malheur Nation Wildlife Refuge, and other protesters Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place along Highway 395.

During the arrest shots were fired, and one person was killed. According to the FBI the individual was “a subject of federal probable cause.” No other information about the person has been released.

The FBI said at 4:25 Tuesday they began an enforcement action to bring into custody a number of individuals associated with the armed occupation. They were assisted by Oregon State Police. Five individuals were arrested including Ammon Bundy.

In a separate event OSP arrested another person associated with the occupation.

All the defendants face a federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats.

 

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