Margaret A. Anderson, a 34-year-old park ranger, tragically lost her life on January 1, 2012, in Pierce County, Washington. Anderson was on duty at Mount Rainier National Park when she was fatally shot while attempting to stop a fleeing suspect near the Longmire Ranger Station. The incident occurred around 10:30 am when Anderson set up a traffic block to intercept a vehicle that had failed to stop at a chain-up checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Benjamin Colton Barnes, opened fire on Anderson, resulting in her immediate death.
Following the shooting, an intensive manhunt ensued, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation Pierce County Sheriff's Department, and National Park Service rangers. The search operation, which included K-9 units, armored vehicles, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, aimed to locate and apprehend Barnes, who had fled on foot into the woods. The park was temporarily closed, and visitors were evacuated for their safety.
The manhunt came to a conclusion on January 2, 2012, when an aircraft spotted a body lying face down in the vicinity of Narada Falls. Ground searchers confirmed the identity of the deceased as Benjamin Colton Barnes. Barnes was found dead, bringing an end to the search and restoring a sense of safety to the park. The investigation into the incident was led by the FBI, with assistance from various local, state, and federal agencies.
Margaret Anderson's death was a significant loss to the community and the National Park Service. She had served at Mount Rainier for three years and was survived by her husband, Eric, also a ranger in the park, and their two young children. The park remained closed for a few days following the incident, and a memorial service was planned to honor Anderson's dedication and sacrifice.
