MOAPA VALLEY, Nev. — Valley of Fire State Park, a popular outdoor destination known for its stunning red sandstone formations, reopened to the public on Friday after a two-day closure due to a fatal shooting incident involving a Nevada State Park ranger.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the ranger responded to a call within the park. While specific details of the call remain undisclosed by officials, it resulted in the ranger discharging their weapon, leading to the death of one individual at the scene. Authorities have yet to release the identity of either the ranger or the deceased.
In the wake of the shooting, the involved park ranger has been placed on administrative leave. Notably, the ranger was not equipped with a body camera during the event, a spokesperson for Nevada State Parks, Tyler Kerver, confirmed. Current state legislation does not require park raffle to wear body cameras.
Investigative efforts are underway, with the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s investigations division reportedly compiling a report to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Further details are expected to be made available by Wednesday afternoon.
While the park was closed, visitors with prior camping reservations were allowed to remain on the premises. However, they were restricted to the campground area and could not explore other parts of the park. Signage at the park and updates on social media informed visitors of these restrictions.
The reopening of Valley of Fire State Park marks a return to normalcy for the area but leaves lingering questions about the events that led to its temporary closure. The community and future visitors are awaiting the outcome of the official investigation, seeking clarity and reassurance about safety measures within Nevada’s state parks.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to come forward to aid in their ongoing inquiry into this tragic event.