News Release

Incident Involving Firearm Investigated in Sequoia National Park

Date: February 19, 2021
Contact: Sintia Kawasaki-Yee, [phone]

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, California February 19, 2021 – This morning Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks officers responded to a report of an individual brandishing a firearm and threatening visitors on the Big Trees Trail in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park, prompting a temporary closure of the Generals Highway. At approximately 12:30 p.m. the park reopened, after being notified by Tulare County Sheriff's Office that the individual had been apprehended outside the park.
 
The Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park was closed for approximately two and a half hours for visitor and employee safety and to keep the area as clear as possible while rangers searched for the suspect. Initial description of the suspect’s vehicle was a green Toyota Sienna, which was later updated to be a white sedan. Rangers made several investigative contacts with visitors who were determined not to be suspects, including the drivers of the green Toyota Sienna.
 
There were no reports of shots fired or injuries in the park related to this incident. For information about the apprehension of this individual that happened outside the park please contact Tulare County Sherriff’s Office at 559-690-0735.