After launching a widespread manhunt for a person accused of stabbing a Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger, officials found the ranger who claimed to be attacked in Staunton State Park on Tuesday was never in any danger.

Callum Heskett, 26, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges Thursday for the “elaborate hoax” that sent Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and other first responders out looking for the attacker, put thousands of residents on alert and placed several schools on a lockdown, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities did not say how Heskett, who was airlifted to a hospital after reporting the attack, was actually injured.

Heskett, a seasonal ranger at the park, radioed for help at about 9:30 a.m., claiming he had been attacked and stabbed, the sheriff’s office said. H

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