|
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Wednesday, October 4, 2006 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Blue Ridge Parkway Woman Killed In Park By Suspected Multiple Murderer On Sunday, October 1st, a ranger checking an unattended vehicle at the Greenstone overlook near Waynesboro found that it had been stolen in Georgia by a man who'd shot a convenience store clerk during a robbery. The body of a woman in her early 20s was found below the overlook. Investigation revealed that her vehicle was missing, and it was presumed that the man - W.A. - had killed her and taken her car. A four-state manhunt was begun, headed by the FBI. Participating from the National Park Service were a special agent and rangers from Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Cumberland Gap. W.A. was also suspected of murdering two other people in Georgia and two more just outside Cumberland Gap. On the evening of October 2nd, police in St. Johns County, Florida, spotted the stolen vehicle. A pursuit across two counties ensued, culminating in a gun fight between police and W.A. He was killed in the exchange of fire. Investigations into the multiple murders are continuing. For a media story on this case, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.news4jax.com/news/9993294/detail.html" http://www.news4jax.com/news/9993294/detail.html [Bruce Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger] Sleeping Bear Dunes NL Conviction For Assault On/Interference With Rangers Late on the afternoon of July 4th, ranger Mark Sanburn received a number of complaints from park visitors canoeing the Platte River regarding the unruly behavior of a large group also canoeing the river. A group of canoeists, including A.A., 22, and his sister, H.A., 24, both of Traverse City, Michigan, had been bothering other park visitors by tackling them as their canoes came by. Sanburn, who was along the river checking for the presence of life jackets, contacted the group. Both A.s appeared very intoxicated and actively resisted attempts to control them. Rangers Jim Dal Sasso and Nate Mazurek assisted in subduing and controlling the group. Both A.s continued to actively resist, attempting to attack Sanburn. They were arrested despite their resistance and transported to jail. On September 22nd, they each pled guilty to forcibly assaulting, resisting, and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer in violation of 18 USC 111(a)(1). Each was sentenced to a year's probation, during which they are to totally abstain from the use of alcohol and submit to testing. Each was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and completed 100 hours of community service, and A.A. was directed to obtain his GED during his term of probation. [Larry Johnson, Chief Ranger] NEWS Grand Canyon NP - A new version of the CASIE search software has been released and made available for free to the field. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4827" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4827 PEOPLE NCRC - Douglas Evans has received a citation for his superior service as the driving force in creating the Groundwork USA network. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1331" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1331 Midwest Region - On Tuesday, September 26th, Ramona Turner of Midwest Regional Office was recognized among others at the annual “12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year” event at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1333" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1333 * * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |