Human Rights

Weekslong Standoff At Oregon Wildlife Refuge Finally Ends

The last militia occupier at Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge surrendered to the FBI, ending a tense standoff in Oregon that's lasted weeks.

Weekslong Standoff At Oregon Wildlife Refuge Finally Ends
Getty Images / Matt Mills McKnight
SMS

All four remaining occupiers at Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge surrendered to federal authorities Thursday morning.

The final occupier, 27-year-old David Fry, told activists encouraging him to surrender he was feeling suicidal. He said, "Unless my grievances are heard, I will not come out." However, after a long, intense discussion, Fry surrendered.

The surrender comes hours after Cliven Bundy, father of initial protest leader Ammon Bundy, was arrested by the FBI in Portland. He's been charged with assault and conspiracy related to the 2014 standoff near his Nevada ranch.

Ammon Bundy was arrested late last month after being pulled over on his way to a community meeting. He asked the remaining protesters to leave the refuge.

The occupation has continued for over 40 days as militia members protested ranchers' rights and the imprisonment of local ranchers. One of the protesters was killed in a shootout with authorities.

The FBI surrounded the refuge Wednesday after one of the protesters rode an ATV outside the militia's perimeter, prompting local FBI to contain the area.

A local FBI agent said in a statement, "We reached a point where it became necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety" of protesters, police and residents.

This video includes clips from The Salt Lake TribuneFox News and KOIN and images from Getty Images.