A Colorado park ranger reported being violently stabbed, which prompted a significant law enforcement response leading to the closure of the park and nearby schools. However, authorities declared the report an “elaborate hoax,” resulting in the ranger facing felony charges.

Callum Heskett, 26, faces charges including attempting to influence a public servant, evidence tampering, false reporting to law enforcement, reckless endangerment, obstructing government operations, and second-degree official misconduct.

The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday when Heskett, a seasonal ranger at Staunton State Park with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, radioed for assistance, “alleging he had been attacked and stabbed,” according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He claimed his supposed attacker fled the scene, describing the individual as a white male, 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, and dressed in a gray shirt and blue jeans.

Heskett was transported by air to a local hospital while a widespread search commenced. The park was evacuated and closed that day, and local schools and community members were under lockdown, with a “Lookout Alert” issued to 8,600 residents concerning the suspect.

The sheriff’s office’s SWAT team was called in, drones were deployed, and the Colorado State Patrol’s Aircraft Unit supported the search effort, which extended for several hours. “During this period, two individuals of interest were detained, questioned, and subsequently found not to be involved,” reported Jefferson County authorities.

The shelter-in-place order “for the immediate area of Staunton State Park” was lifted later that day as authorities said they had “reason to believe this was a targeted attack,” but fears persisted. The sheriff’s office wrote on social media on Wednesday, “We understand that news of the stabbing at Staunton State Park has caused fear and concern in our community.”

“Please know that our investigators are working diligently on this case, and based on everything we know at this time, this was a targeted incident. We are confident there is no ongoing threat to the public,” they reiterated. And at some point during the investigation, authorities became suspicious.

“As the investigation progressed, inconsistencies in Heskett’s statements emerged,” the sheriff’s office said. “That, along with other conflicting and questionable evidence, further raised concerns about the validity of his allegations. After investigators conducted their first interview with Heskett, it became even more clear that his story was flawed and erroneous.”

Heskett told the first deputy who responded to his radio call that he had approached a man hunched over near a tree, only for the man to charge him and yell “F– the police,” leading to a fight on the ground, where Heskett was stabbed with his own pocket knife, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by local CBS affiliate KCNC. The park ranger also said he was hit on the back of the head.

However, no such injury to the back of Heskett’s head was found, and furthermore, once the responding deputy’s body camera footage was viewed, authorities found no dirt or grass on Heskett’s uniform. The footage also reportedly showed Heskett texting with one hand while holding the knife with the other, and recording videos with his cellphone.

When he was eventually asked for a DNA sample, Heskett allegedly told investigators his attacker was wearing a black latex glove – a detail he said he had forgotten because of the painkillers he had taken. Furthermore, when investigators searched Heskett’s iPhone, they are said to have found searches including “how deep are arteries in lower abdomen,” “arteries in abdomen map,” and “abdominal anatomy.”

Heskett had been stabbed, though. The only question was by whom. When the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced the “hoax” charges on social media, a user responded, “serious question — did he stab himself?”

“Yes,” the agency flatly replied.

Heskett’s bond was set at $10,000.