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MOAB -- A Utah State Parks law enforcement officer is in critical condition after being shot multiple times while patrolling near the Poison Spider Mesa Trail area just south of Moab. The shooter is still on the loose.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland says a man confronted the ranger in the parking lot just off of Highway 279, shortly before 9 p.m.
The man shot the ranger three times: once in the arm, leg and abdomen.
Nyland said, "We're not sure exactly, right now, exactly sure what did occur. Evidently, the officer had been shot multiple times; however, he was conscious and talking to the officers upon their arrival."
The victim was taken to Allen Memorial Hospital in Moab, but later flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo.
Investigators haven't had a chance to talk to victim, so they have no description of the suspect.
The Grand County Sheriff's Office, the Utah Highway Patrol and several federal agencies are assisting with the search for the suspect.
Parts of Highway 279 and Kane Springs Road are blocked, and officers are patrolling State Route 191 looking for the suspect.
Stay tuned to ksl.com, KSL NewsRadio 102.7FM/1160AM and KSL TV for the latest updates.
