A U.S. attorney said Wednesday he would not pursue federal charges against a National Park Service ranger who shot and killed a Missouri man last year at the Buffalo National River.
The decision from Duane Kees, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, was in line with the Searcy County prosecutor, who found that evidence supported the officer's use of lethal force in the case.
An investigation by the Searcy County sheriff's office, Arkansas State Police and the National Park Service also determined that the ranger followed policy.
The fatal shooting occurred Aug. 20, 2017, after 34-year-old Jonathan Bolger of Branson pointed what two park rangers believed was a semi-automatic weapon at them while they were patrolling a campground near Harrison in the early morning hours. One ranger shot the man three times after he made a "threatening move," authorities said.
The investigation revealed that Bolger was actually armed with an Umarex XCP air pistol, which "appears identical" to a two-toned semi-automatic handgun, a news release states.
Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.