Suspect pleads guilty to federal charge in shooting of RMNP ranger

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A man who shot a ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park last year has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in the case.

According to our news partners in Denver, Daron Ellis had pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder of a federal officer and is now set for sentencing on Oct. 31.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ellis shot at the ranger with a handgun near Highway 34 just a few yards into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) on Dec. 8, 2021. The shooting happened after the ranger attempted to stop the vehicle that Ellis was driving.

Shortly before the shooting, a state trooper had encountered Ellis and pulled him over for speeding on Highway 34, the affidavit says. During that traffic stop, the trooper did a search and realized that it appeared both the vehicle and license plate had been stolen separately. The vehicle and plate came back as registered to separate owners.

During the stop, Ellis got out of the vehicle without being asked and eventually got back in, did a three-point turn, and drove off, according to the affidavit. The trooper followed the vehicle for about a quarter mile before ending his pursuit.

Ellis drove through Estes Park before entering park grounds and encountering the park ranger, the affidavit said

An 18-year-old woman who was in the car with Ellis said when they encountered the ranger, Ellis "fishtailed" the car and went off the road and hit rocks. The woman went on to say that the ranger got out of his car and approached their vehicle with his gun drawn and ordered them to "get out," with their hands up and threatened to shoot them. 

She reported that Ellis got a handgun and fired at the ranger "until he was out of ammunition," the affidavit says. She said she believed that Ellis fired first and the ranger fired back, striking Ellis.

The ranger was protected by a ballistic vest and did not suffer serious injuries, according to the National Park Service. The ranger was struck in the left chest area and had an "impact" wound that did not break the skin due to his vest. He did have a bruise about 10 inches in diameter, according to the affidavit.

Charges at the state level are also still pending against Ellis. Those charges include:

• Vehicular eluding
• Aggravated motor vehicle theft
• Fictitious plates