It looks like the feds may finally be making their move on the Bundy boys. These are as-yet unconfirmed reports, but there are indications of activity in the area.
The Oregonian is passing along reports from the unreliable narrator Pete Santilli, which may or may not be accurate:
Two people have been shot and Ammon Bundy is in custody, according to a YouTube live stream by Pete Santilli, who was speaking outside a hospital in Burns.
Santilli, a self-styled journalist, took to social media to discuss the breaking development late Tuesday afternoon. He also reported that the FBI has told the protesters at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that they are free to go and need to leave immediately.
UPDATE:
According to KOIN, an Air Link helicopter was dispatched to Burns in the late afternoon.
OPB now confirms the lockdown at Harney County Hospital, as well as the closure of highways leading to the nature preserve.
Les Zaitz confirmed that a statement is forthcoming from the Harney County Sheriff:
UPDATE 2:
CNN reports that Ammon Bundy and up to 8 others were arrested:
Federal authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, the leader of a group of protesters occupying a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, during a traffic stop Tuesday, a law enforcement official told CNN.
Up to eight of Bundy's followers were detained, the source said.
Shots were fired after authorities made the stop, according to the source. It's not clear who fired first.
UPDATE 3:
It's now confirmed that one was killed, 6 others arrested in the incident.
Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy Brian Cavalier and Ryan Payne are in custody on federal charges of a conspiracy to impede a federal officer by force. Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy was arrested separately. The identity of the one killed is not being released at this time.
UPDATE 4:
The FBI has released a statement about today's arrests.
UPDATE 5:
According to reports, Jon Ritzheimer, the Bundy boy who was willing to die for the cause, turned himself in to authorities on conspiracy charges. Pete Santilli was also arrested.
Several hours later, Jon Ritzheimer, 32, a key militant leader, surrendered to police on the conspiracy charge. He gained national fame for complaining on a video about the delivery of sex toys to the refuge in response to the occupiers' plea for supplies.
Police also arrested Pete Santilli, an independent broadcaster known for his aggressive manner and live streaming refuge events. He faces a conspiracy charge to impede federal officers.
Other reports, as yet unconfirmed, say Lavoy Finicum, the man under the blue tarp, was the militia member killed. I stress that those reports are still unconfirmed and may come from unreliable narrators like Michele Fiore, who is allied with the Bundys.
UPDATE 6:
Cliven Bundy is shamelessly exploiting his friend Robert "Lavoy" Finicum's death:
Levoy Finicum was Shot and murdered in Cold blood today in Burns Oregon today by the FBI and State Law enforcement. He had his hands up and was shot 3 Times. This Man Is one of the best Patriots, Husband, Father, Grandfather, friend and Neighbor, that this world will ever know. Spread this far and wide!
