The leader of an armed protest group in Oregon has been arrested and one member of his group killed in a shootout with the FBI. Ammon Bundy’s group
ADVERTISEMENTThe leader of an armed protest group in Oregon has been arrested and one member of his group killed in a shootout with the FBI.
Ammon Bundy’s group have been occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since 6 January.
The occupation is a protest against the US government’s control of millions of acres of territory in the west. The protesters say they are defending the US Constitution.
Bundy and four other senior members of his group, including his brother Ryan Bundy, were taken into custody following a confrontation with law enforcement officers along Highway 395, near the wildlife reserve, at around 16:25 local time (00:25 GMT) on Tuesday, the FBI said.
Authorities did not release the name of the person who died at the highway stop, but activists said Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum, a rancher who acted as a spokesman for the occupiers, had been killed.
Three more arrests were made later on Tuesday evening in relation to the occupation, the FBI said.
BREAKING: Booking photos of Ammon Bundy, 7 others after arrest near Burns. https://t.co/AcqRyP4pd5#KOIN6Newspic.twitter.com/un82wepf95
— Brent Weisberg (@BrentKOIN) January 27, 2016
FBI agents were setting up a perimeter on Tuesday night around the wildlife refuge, where some protesters were still holding out.
One of the remaining occupiers, Jason Patrick, told Reuters by phone they would stay until there was a “redress of grievances”.
“I’ve heard ‘peaceful resolution’ for weeks now. And now there’s a cowboy who is my friend, who is dead – so prepare for the ‘peaceful resolution’,” Patrick said.
Jon Ritzheimer, a key militant leader, turned himself in to the authorities on Tuesday evening. He posted a video to Facebook of his fond farewell to his family
Oregon militia man daughters emotional goodbye before surrendering to police
FBI agents were setting up a perimeter on Tuesday night around the wildlife refuge, where some protesters were still holding out.
All of those arrested face federal charges of conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to impede federal officers from discharging their duties.