Colorado Park Ranger Arrested After Allegedly Staging His Own Stabbing at Staunton State Park
PINE, Colorado — What began as a frantic radio call for help quickly unraveled into one of the most bizarre law enforcement stories of the year. Colorado park ranger Callum Heskett, 26, who claimed he was stabbed while on duty at Staunton State Park, is now the prime suspect in staging the attack against himself, according to investigators.
From Emergency Call to Suspect
On a September morning, Heskett radioed that he had been attacked on the Old Mill Trail, describing a struggle with a white male suspect who stabbed him with his own pocketknife. Deputies rushed to the scene and found Heskett kneeling with the knife lodged in his abdomen. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he repeated his account of the supposed ambush.
Authorities immediately launched a large-scale manhunt, with residents near the park advised to shelter in place. SWAT and drone units combed the area, but no suspect was ever found. Hours later, police abruptly lifted the lockdown, saying the attack appeared “targeted,” though questions lingered.
Evidence Doesn’t Add Up
By the end of the day, investigators began noticing inconsistencies. Despite claiming he had been tackled, Heskett’s uniform showed no dirt or grass on the back, and he had no head injuries as he described. Bodycam footage also captured him using his cell phone while holding the knife in his abdomen, something investigators deemed unusual.
A search of Heskett’s phone revealed concerning search histories, including “arteries in abdomen map” and “$1mil for each time you get stabbed.” When asked directly if he stabbed himself, Heskett denied it.
Two days later, while still hospitalized, he was arrested and charged.
Criminal Charges and Background
Heskett now faces multiple charges, including:
- Attempt to influence a public servant
- Tampering with physical evidence
- False reporting of an emergency
- Reckless endangerment
- Obstructing government operations
- Second-degree official misconduct
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office called the stabbing “an elaborate hoax.” Colorado Parks and Wildlife fired Heskett the day after his arrest.
This wasn’t the first troubled chapter in his law enforcement career. Records show he was fired from the Lafayette Police Department in 2024, months after claiming he had been run over on duty — an account later contradicted by bodycam footage.
What Comes Next
Heskett’s attorney has declined public comment, and the former ranger has not yet entered a plea. He is scheduled for a disposition hearing on Wednesday.
The case has shocked Colorado residents, many of whom were initially alarmed by reports of a violent attacker in the park. Now, the focus has shifted to how and why a state park ranger would allegedly stage such an incident.
The dramatic twist at Staunton State Park highlights how quickly a routine emergency can turn into a national headline — and how investigators must unravel truth from deception. For continuing coverage on high-profile investigations and community safety, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.