Anti-government group stopped in Oregon following shoot out

The Observer Staff

The FBI and Oregon State Police arrested Militant leader Ammon Bundy and four of his followers during a traffic stop in Oregon on Tuesday.

The arrests resulted in a shootout injuring Ryan Bundy and killing a supporter. It is unclear what prompted the gunfire.

The Bundys and their armed militia have occupied an Oregon national wildlife preserve in a standoff with authorities for the past three weeks.

According to the Oregonian, standoff spokesman Robert “LaVoy” Finicum was the suporter killed in the shootout during the arrests.

Authorities didn’t release the name but Finicum’s daughter confirmed it was Finicum the Oregonian reported.

“My dad was such a good good man, through and through,” said Arianna Finicum Brown, Finicum’s daughter, in an interview with the Oregonian, “he would never ever want to hurt somebody, but he does believe in defending freedom and he knew the risks involved.”

The brothers and supporters were heading to a community meeting to speak with local residents about federal management of public lands according to the Associated Press.

Ryan Bundy was taken to the hospital and treated for his minor gunshot wound after the confrontation. He was later released to FBI custody according to authorities.

Those arrested will face federal felony charges of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats, AP reported.

“I am pleased that the FBI has listened to the concerns of the local community and responded to the illegal activity occurring in Harney County by outside extremists,” said Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley in a statement. “The leaders of this group are now in custody and I hope that the remaining individuals occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will peacefully surrender.”

Outrage meanwhile surfaced on Facebook as the Bundy Facebook page posted an image in protest.

“Tonight peaceful patriots were attacked on a remote road for supporting the Constitution,” it read, “one was killed. Who are the terrorists?”