Kansas man killed in shooting involving U.S. Forest Service officer

A Hutchinson man was fatally shot by a U.S. Forest Service officer while heading to spiritual retreat in Arizona on Friday, the family attorney said in a statement.

The FBI confirmed that Tyler Miller, 51, was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries following a shooting just north of Sedona, Ariz.

The shooting was first reported at about 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 5 on Arizona Highway 89A in Oak Creek Canyon, according to Arizona Central. Oak Creek Canyon is about 120 miles north of Phoenix.

The FBI was called to investigate because the shooting took place on federal land, Sedona Red Rock News reported.

“According to the FBI, while driving on a curvy mountain road Ty apparently lost control of his pickup truck and went off the road where his vehicle hit a large rock,” family attorney Matt Bretz said. “It is unclear exactly what happened next, except to say that after Ty got out of his crashed vehicle a U.S. Forest Service officer shot Ty near the scene of the accident. The FBI has stated that Ty was not armed.”

Bretz said that the FBI anticipates turning the investigation over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine what — if any — charges will be filed against the U.S. Forest Service officer.

The officer, whose name was not released, was not injured, Arizona Central reported.

The Arizona Department of Transportation posted on Twitter that a mile section of Arizona Highway 89A was closed for about four hours following the shooting.

The FBI is investigating with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Sedona Police Department, Arizona Family reported. No other suspects are being sought.

The FBI has released no other information regarding the shooting.

Bretz said that Miller’s family is not prepared to make a statement.

“... they continue to reel from the shock of this incredible and unimaginable loss,” he said. “Ty was a much-loved husband and father and an important part of the Hutchinson community. He and his smile will be deeply missed.”

Miller is survived by his wife of 28 years, Darcy, and their four sons.

This story was originally published January 7, 2018 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Kansas man killed in shooting involving U.S. Forest Service officer."