One man was killed and eight were arrested after armed militants clashed with authorities near a federal wildlife refuge in rural Oregon.
The man who died, considered a leader of the antigovernment group that occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge three weeks ago, said he was willing to perish while fighting for his beliefs.
LaVoy Finicum said: "I would rather die than be caged."
Protestors remain at the site, defying the orders of law enforcement officials. According to the New York Times, the authorities say the remaining protestors had only themselves to blame for the recent events.
"The armed occupiers have been given ample opportunities to leave," said Greg Bretzing, the FBI special agent who oversees Orgeon. "Instead, these individuals have chosen to threaten and intimidate the America they profess to love, and through their criminal actions to bring these consequences upon themselves. Let me be clear: It is the actions and choices of the armed occupiers that have led us to where we are today."
The situation began three weeks ago when armed militants, led by the son of controversial rancher Cliven Bundy, stormed the refuge in protest of federal policies over private usage of grazing lands.
"I'm disappointed that a traffic stop yesterday that was supposed to bring a peaceful resolution to this ended badly," Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said. "It didn't have to happen."
He added, "It's time for everybody in this illegal occupation to move on."
Ammon Bundy, vocal leader of the protest and eventual siege, was arrested and held by authorities for his actions. Bundy called on protestors and activists who remained at the site to leave, saying the fight had ended.
