Police tape off a crime scene, Saturday, July 6, 2024, on the 2600 block of Ridgecrest Drive in Florence, Ky.

Colorado authorities are looking for a man who allegedly stabbed a ranger in a state park and fled the scene.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said the ranger was struck in the torso on Aug. 19 at Staunton State Park, located about 40 miles from Denver.

Per CBS News, KDVR, and The Denver Post, the victim told emergency dispatch that he had an altercation with the attacker at about 9:30 a.m. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office public information officer Jacki Kelley told reporters there was "radio silence for quite a while" before the ranger called again to say he was stabbed and provided the description of the man.

The ranger, who was struck in the torso, was transported via airlift and underwent surgery at a nearby hospital, the outlets reported.

Authorities described the suspect as a 200-pound white man with brown hair in his 30s who was wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans. He reportedly ran into the woods of the national park.

'Targeted attack'

Law enforcement officials from several agencies conducted air and ground searches for the suspect at large, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Facebook. A shelter-in-place was initially in effect in the area, but it was lifted by the evening on Aug. 19.

"We have reason to believe this was a targeted attack and there is no ongoing threat to the community," the sheriff's office posted. Two people who were deemed "persons of interest" were cleared of any involvement, officials said.

A notice on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website says Staunton State Park is currently closed "due to law enforcement activity."

USA TODAY reached out to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for more information.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Park ranger stabbed in 'targeted attack,' officials say search for suspect underway

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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