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Colorado Ranger Arrested After Staunton State Park Stabbing Report Deemed an 'Elaborate Hoax'
Park ranger Callum Heskett, 26, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after fabricating a stabbing incident that triggered a large emergency response and park closure.
- On August 19, Callum Heskett, a 26-year-old seasonal Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger, radioed for help reporting he had been stabbed while patrolling Staunton State Park, but the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office later concluded it was an "elaborate hoax" and arrested him on August 21.
- Authorities evacuated and shut Staunton State Park for nearly 24 hours, alerted 8,600 nearby residents, and placed nearby schools on lockdown while a regional SWAT team searched the park.
- Investigators found inconsistencies during interviews, and officials say Heskett appeared to have self-inflicted the wound using his own three- or four-inch pocket knife; his clothing also lacked dirt, contradicting his attack claim.
- Heskett was arrested Thursday and now faces felony and misdemeanor charges, including attempt to influence a public servant and tampering with evidence; his bond is set at $10,000 and he will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail after hospital care.
- Sheriff's office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said, `We could not be more serious about pursuing charges against someone who really did a lot of damage to a community that was terrified that there was someone at large to law enforcement officials.` Two persons of interest were detained and released, while investigators say the motive remains unclear.
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26-year-old Callum Heskett claimed to have been stabbed in a state park, resulting in a search operation, closure of schools and community alert
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources42
Leaning Left6Leaning Right6Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
L 18%
C 65%
R 18%
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