Bruce Ellyson, 39, of Cody, Wyoming, was killed on November 9, 2014, during a big-game hunt in Shoshone National Forest east of the Clearwater Campground. According to accounts, a rifle leaning against a vehicle fell as the hunters were packing up; it discharged on impact and the single shot struck Ellyson’s upper left thigh, passing into his other leg. Despite emergency surgery at a local hospital, he died later that day.

Ellyson was described as a volunteer firefighter in his community, a detail that underscored the loss for Cody: a man known for helping others died in a sudden mishap while among companions. Authorities treated the incident as a tragic accidental shooting; there are no reports of a named suspect, arrest, or criminal charge related to the shooting.

If anyone was in the Clearwater Campground area that day or has information about the events around the hunting party, please share what is known.