VanRiper may have been camping illegally. He sprayed an investigating officer with bear spray. The officer shot and killed him.
Victim's Name: Courtney James VanRiper
Agency Responsible: U.S. Forest Service
Gender: Male
Age: 66
Race: Unknown race
Date of Death: September 19, 2014
County: Gila
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Unreported
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: pepper spray
Geography: Rural