Park ranger shot in Rocky Mountain National Park, feds say. Now man faces prison time

A Colorado man could face up to 20 years in prison after a park ranger was shot in Rocky Mountain National Park, officials said.

Daron Marquel Ellis was charged with assault on a federal officer by use of a deadly weapon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Colorado said in a Dec. 15 news release.. He could also face a $250,000 fine.

On Dec. 8, a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger was shot during a confrontation, McClatchy News reported.

The law enforcement ranger confronted two suspects involved in a car pursuit outside park land earlier in the morning, park officials said.

“During contact with the suspects, the law enforcement ranger was shot, but was protected by their ballistic vest and did not suffer serious injuries,” officials said in a Dec. 8 news release.

The ranger shot back at one of the suspects, and the suspect was injured, park officials said. A second suspect was uninjured in the incident.

Both the ranger and the injured suspect were taken to a hospital.

Ellis appeared in federal court on Monday, Dec. 13 and was ordered to remain in custody.

This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Park ranger shot in Rocky Mountain National Park, feds say. Now man faces prison time."