Seven ranchers arrested, one killed; future of Oregon standoff unclear

A group of ranchers’ occupation of an Oregon wildlife reserve appears to be breaking up after a confrontation with law enforcement that ended with one man’s death.

The group, led by Ammon Bundy 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 and his followers were reportedly heading to a community meeting Tuesday at the senior center in John Day, about 70 miles north of Burns. In a traffic stop coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies, officers arrested eight people. One of them suffered non-life-threatening wounds, and another, whom The Oregonian identified as Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum, was killed.

Arianna Finicum Brown confirmed her father’s death, saying “he would never ever want to hurt somebody, but he does believe in defending freedom and he knew the risks involved.”

It was unclear how many people remained in the buildings at the refuge. Early Wednesday, the FBI and Oregon State Police established a series of checkpoints along key routes into and out refuge. According to a statement, only Harney County ranchers who own property in specific areas will be required to show identification and be allowed to pass.

Brand Thornton, one of Bundy’s supporters, said he left the refuge Monday and wasn’t sure what those remaining would do.

“The entire leadership is gone,” he said in a telephone interview. “I wouldn’t blame any of them for leaving.”

Thornton called the arrests “a dirty trick” by law enforcement.

Those arrested will each face a federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, authorities said.