The Latest on Oregon standoff: An occupier surrenders in Arizona
BURNS, Ore. – The latest on an armed group that took over buildings at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon (all times local):
9:15 p.m.
The FBI says one of the occupiers of the wildlife refuge in Oregon has surrendered to police in Arizona, raising the total number of arrests to eight.
FBI said Jon Eric Ritzheimer turned himself in Tuesday night at the police department in Peoria, Arizona.
Like the others who were arrested, Ritzheimer faces a felony charge of conspiracy to impede federal officials in their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats.
The 32-year-old Ritzheimer was among the most visible of the occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
8:40 p.m.
Authorities say the person who died in law officers’ confrontation with Ammon Bundy and his followers is an adult male.
The Harney County Sheriff’s Office gave no other information on the deceased.
The FBI had earlier said an individual “who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest is deceased.”
The FBI meanwhile said a defendant who had been injured during the Tuesday confrontation was treated at a hospital and was released into FBI custody. The person was not identified.
The Harney County Sheriff’s Office said no law enforcement personnel were injured.
8 p.m.
The FBI has announced another arrest in the confrontation with Ammon Bundy and his followers, bringing the total number of those arrested to seven.
The FBI said 50-year-old Peter Santilli of Cincinnati, Ohio was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Burns.
Santilli has been operating an online talk-radio show during the occupation of the wildlife refuge.
7:50 p.m.
The FBI says Ammon Bundy and the others who were arrested face felony charges of conspiracy to impede the duties of federal officials through the use of “force, intimidation, or threats.”
The FBI also said it continues to work with the Harney County sheriff, Oregon State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s office to address any other issues.
6:55 p.m.
Authorities say shots were fired during the arrest of members of an armed group that has occupied a national wildlife refuge in Oregon for more than three weeks.
In a statement Tuesday, the FBI said one individual “who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest is deceased.” No other information about the deceased was immediately released.
The FBI said authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, 40, his brother Ryan Bundy, 43, Brian Cavalier, 44, Shawna Cox, 59, and Ryan Payne, 32, during a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 395. Authorities said another person, Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy, 45, was arrested in Burns.
Bundy’s group, which has included people from as far away as Arizona and Michigan, seized the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2 as part of a long-running dispute over public lands in the West.
Bundy is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a high-profile 2014 standoff with the government over grazing rights.
6:40 p.m.
A more than 50-mile stretch of highway in Oregon has been closed near where an armed group has been occupying a national wildlife refuge.
The Oregon Department of Transportation reported on its website that U.S. 395 was closed between the towns of Burns and John Day on Tuesday evening. The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/1UpuciO ) that there had been a meeting scheduled between some members of the group and local residents in John Day on Tuesday night.
Federal and state law enforcement did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
A group led by Ammon Bundy seized the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns on Jan. 2 as part of a long-running dispute over public lands in the West.
Bundy is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a high-profile 2014 standoff with the government over grazing rights.
Updates with sheriff saying the deceased is an adult male. Officials say Jon Eric Ritzheimer will face the same charges as the others arrested on Tuesday in Oregon.