Xanterra employee arrested after making shooting threat

JACKSON (WNE) — The day after a Xanterra employee opened fire at a Yellowstone dining area, a second Xanterra employee allegedly made threatening statements related to a shooting at a second area, Roose

velt Lodge.

Robert Sherman was charged in U.S. District Court Tuesday with disorderly conduct for making several comments related to gun violence.

Court documents state that on Monday at 9:39 a.m., park rangers were notified that Xanterra employee Robert Sherman, who worked at Roosevelt Lodge, had made statements along the lines of “the next mass shooting will be here.”

The alert was received several days after Sherman allegedly made those statements.

An hour later, more information received by rangers alleged that Sherman had made other “prior comments about killing people.” Who reported those comments is not clear.

The Roosevelt Lodge and adjacent area were evacuated Monday, court documents state, as park rangers responded in “full rifle kit with long guns.”

Sherman was located in his cabin and detained. He consented to a search of his cabin and vehicle, although “nothing of note” was found, court filings say.

An email statement provided to the rangers from Roosevelt Lodge Controller John Armstrong said that last Friday, Sherman got into a verbal altercation in the employee dining room. While walking out, Sherman made the comments about a mass shooting.

If convicted of disorderly conduct, Sherman may face up to six months in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. In a Wednesday court appearance, he pleaded not guilty, and a public defender was appointed to represent him. He is being held without bail.

This story was published on July 11, 2024.