CHINLE — Investigation continues for an assault on a federal officer Oct. 5 at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. A National Park Service (NPS) Ranger shot and killed a man who was armed with a knife. According to the NPS, the individual who died was identified as Venson Kee Yazzie, 43. The NPS has a national policy that governs its response to an officer involved shooting within park boundaries to ensure investigations are conducted with thoroughness, professionalism and impartiality. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Park Service’s Officer Involved Shooting Team. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be submitted to the US Attorney’s Office District of Arizona. Additionally, the NPS Office of Professional Responsibility will provide an objective and thorough internal investigation into the officer’s actions. Involved officers are placed on administrative leave while these investigations occur. NPS Law Enforcement Officers are highly-trained federal officers who serve and protect our visitors and the natural and cultural resources within our parks. These officers attend basic law enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga., and participate in a thorough, on-the-job field training program before becoming full-performance rangers. As of press time the name of the officer and the circumstances surrounding the incident were not made public.
