NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, April 8, 2010
INCIDENTS
Blue Ridge Parkway
Man Arrested For Shooting Two People In Park
On April 6th, an 18-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man were watching the sunset at Rock Point overlook on the parkway near Stuart's Draft, Virginia, when they were attacked by a man with a shotgun. Both survived, but the man suffered critical injuries to his head and face and his prognosis is uncertain at this time. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office led the multi-agency investigation, which included NPS rangers and special agents, FBI and ATF agents, Forest Service officers, and Virginia State Police troopers. An anonymous “Crime Stoppers” tip was subsequently received that identified R.J. of Stuart's Draft as a suspect. R.J. was taken into custody yesterday afternoon through a cooperative effort by the above agency, supported by a Park Police tactical team and their Eagle 1 helicopter and crew. R.J. has been interviewed and has given information consistent with his having done the shooting. Prosecutors form the US Attorney's Office and August County will determine what charges will be made and which jurisdiction will handle the case. The park is grateful for the assistance received law enforcement personnel from all the involved agencies, including Shenandoah NP and New River Gorge NR, and for the way they managed this case. The hard work of the investigators was critical in attaining the positive and expedient outcome. For a related news story, click on the link below. [Steve Stinnett, Chief Ranger]
HYPERLINK "http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/242622" http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/242622
Hot Springs NP
Hiker Finds Body Of Probable Suicide Victim
On the afternoon of April 4th, protection ranger Jeff Johnson was dispatched to investigate a hiker report of a man's body hanging from a tree on Sunset Trail. Johnson notified EMS and local FBI while en route. When he arrived at the reported location, he found the body hanging from a tree limb just off the trail. Preliminary investigation indicates that the death was a suicide. The FBI has assumed the lead in the investigation. Toxicology and autopsy results are pending. [Dennis Stock, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Saint-Gaudens NHS - Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site has accepted the donation of the historic Blow-Me-Down Farm property from the site's non-profit partner, the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Memorial. The 42.6-acre property includes nine historic structures, agricultural fields and more than a quarter mile of frontage along the Connecticut River.
WASO Public Affairs - The NPS has finalized a plan which allows the public to receive some benefits from commercial products or services arising from research originally conducted on public lands.
US Park Police - The United States Park Police have placed hybrid vehicles in service. The vehicles, which substantially improve fuel economy, are being used for patrols in city areas and for administrative use. Photo.
Independence NHP - Facility manager Preston A. James will retire on May 3rd with over 41 years in the federal government, including 39 years with the National Park Service. Photo.
NPS Alumni - Career NPS ranger Wallace “Wally” Neprash, 74, of Dickinson, died at his home on January 11th. Photo.
To see these and other stories posted on InsideNPS (or NPS Digest, its public version), click on one or the other of the following links (please note that not all stories in the former appear in the latter):
NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index
Non-NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/
NPS serious incident submission standards can be found at the following web site: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/notify" http://inside.nps.gov/notify
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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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