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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A National Park Service ranger was involved in a fatal shooting near Carlsbad Caverns National Park on Saturday.

The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office says it is investigating the incident that happened around 5:15 p.m. near Rattlesnake Canyon, where the ranger saw a Ford F-250 truck driving erratically.

“A traffic stop was made on this vehicle and the driver, later identified as Charles Gage Lorentz of Colorado, exited the vehicle and was confronted by the ranger,” the release reads. “During the incident a physical altercation occurred and Mr. Lorentz was fatally struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.”

The ranger was not injured.

The sheriff’s office said it was not releasing the name of the ranger at this time and that more details will be provided as they become available.

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