A shocking case has come to light in Colorado, where a state park ranger allegedly faked being stabbed, causing a major emergency response. The incident, which took place at Staunton State Park near Golden, has left residents and officials stunned, as law enforcement resources were stretched based on what turned out to be a false alarm.
Ranger Claimed He Was Stabbed
On Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m., 26-year-old Callum Heskett, a ranger with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, radioed in a distress call claiming he had been stabbed by an unknown attacker. He even gave officers a detailed description of the supposed suspect.
Authorities responded immediately. The emergency was taken very seriously, leading to a large and rapid deployment that included:
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT
Drone teams
Colorado State Patrol aviation units
Local deputies and medical first responders
A Lookout Alert was sent to over 8,600 residents, and people in the area were asked to lock down. Even schools were placed on alert as the search for the attacker began.
A Full-Scale Search With No Attacker Found
As the search went on, officers began to notice inconsistencies in Heskett’s story. While he was airlifted to a hospital, investigators kept digging into the report.
After further interviews and evidence checks, they determined that the attack never happened. The entire report appeared to be fabricated.
Arrest and Charges Filed
On Thursday, Heskett was formally arrested. Although he remains hospitalised under medical care, he will be taken to the Jefferson County Jail once he is released by doctors.
He now faces multiple charges, both felonies and misdemeanours, including:
Attempt to influence a public servant
Tampering with physical evidence
False reporting to authorities
Reckless endangerment
Obstruction of government operations
Second-degree official misconduct
His bond has been set at $10,000.
Public Resources Misused
Officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office expressed concern over the serious impact of false reports like this. Not only did it put the public on high alert, but it also diverted significant law enforcement and emergency resources, which could have been used elsewhere.
“This kind of false alarm creates unnecessary danger for the public and our first responders,” said the department in an official statement. They reaffirmed their commitment to holding people accountable when public safety is compromised by dishonest claims.
Legal Process Still Underway
Although Heskett has been charged, authorities were clear in stating that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Investigations are ongoing, and more details may be released in the coming weeks as the case progresses.
This incident has raised serious questions about how false emergency reports are handled and the strain they place on local systems. With thousands of residents impacted and first responders risking their safety for what turned out to be a fabricated event, the case highlights the importance of trust, responsibility, and proper use of public emergency systems.
