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By Beth Stibal |

Domestic violence suspect accused of firing at Everglades Park Rangers

What Can Be Saved Everglades
This Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019 photo shows a raised portion of the Tamiami Trail, west of Miami, Fla. The 2.6-mile bridge, along with another 1-mile span, has helped move more water into Everglades National Park. Prior to 2013, the Tamiami Trail effectively served as a dike, cutting off the natural flow of water into the park. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A man is in custody after allegedly shooting at rangers at Florida’s Everglades National Park.


Park officials say the 33-year-old man fired, unprovoked, while rangers were investigating a report of domestic violence yesterday.

According to a news release from the National Park Service, the man was suspected of a domestic violence incident earlier in the day but was gone when rangers arrived. They later found his vehicle abandoned on the main park road and had reason to believe he was armed and had fled into the woods.

The National Park Service said the suspect fired shots at the rangers along the main park road, about 20 miles from the Homestead entrance, about 6:45 p.m.

Residents of Flamingo were told to shelter in place during the search for the suspect who was captured about an hour later. No one was hurt.