Ranger Margaret Anderson being hailed as a life saver

'We could have all been dead. I believe she saved our lives'
By KOMO Staff
Published: Jan 3, 2012

MOUNT RAINIER, Wash. -- Ranger Margaret Anderson is being hailed as a life saver by those who were trapped inside Paradise Inn near the scene of the deadly shooting on New Years Day.

Jeremy Best was visiting the park when he heard some loud bangs.

"I heard a few bangs over my right shoulder, which I assumed was avalanche control," he said.

Best had no idea it was gunfire until rangers told park visitors to get inside the Paradise Inn.

"They had just said, 'Somebody had been shot,'" said Best.

Two hours later, the SWAT team arrived and ordered everyone to get on the ground with their hands behind their heads. Suspected gunman Benjamin Barnes had fled into the woods in the direction of Paradise.

"They printed off pictures of who they thought the suspect was, and checked faces, one by one, to make sure he wasn't in the building," said Best.

After being safely escorted off the mountain, Best learned of the fate of the friendly ranger he had just spoken to in the lot of Paradise.

"It wasn't until Monday afternoon when I'd awakened and I got online, and saw her face. And I was in shock, having spoken to her just moments before (her death)," he said.

Rangers said Anderson rushed from the parking lot to intercept Barnes' car before he could reach Paradise.

"We could have all been dead," said Best. "I believe she saved our lives."
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Mount Rainier staff meets to grieve loss of ranger
By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press
Published: Jan 3, 2012
SEATTLE (AP) - Employees at Mount Rainier National Park are gathering together Tuesday to grieve the loss of a park ranger who was fatally shot inside the park.

Park spokesman Greg Shine says park employees are in an all-staff meeting to come together as a community and begin the healing process following Sunday's shooting of Margaret Anderson.
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