On New Year's Day, park ranger Margaret Anderson was shot and killed doing her job in Mount Rainier National Park. A vehicle sped past a check point where rangers were stopping cars to make sure they had chains on their tires. Ranger Anderson had set up a road block to stop the vehicle, however, the suspect stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on Anderson, fatally wounding her.
Anderson had served the National Park Service and our nation for four years. She is survived by her husband, a fellow park ranger, and two young daughters.
The person of interest in this case, Benjamin Colton Barnes, is still at large, resulting in the park being shut down.
Many people forget that there are park rangers trained for law enforcement and risk their lives daily so that you can enjoy the parks. Please keep this in mind the next time you are enjoying one of our nation's treasured outdoor places.
