Hikers Near Yosemite Seek Cover As Gunfire Whizzes Overhead
A terrifying incident unfolded near Yosemite National Park this weekend when unexpected gunfire sent hikers on a popular trail diving for cover.
Around 1:50 pm September 26, 2025 the Mono County Sheriff’s Office was flooded with 911 calls hikers from the Parker Lake Trail who reported nearby gunshots. Dispatchers could clearly hearing shots over the line. Fearing an active shooter situation, deputies immediately responded. They located three individuals from Southern California who were target shooting in a highly unsafe location north of the trail.
Hikers told authorities they could “feel and hear bullets passing overhead” forcing them to hunker down behind trees and rocks until the shooting stopped. While thankfully no one was injured, the sheriff’s office confirmed the hikers were “definitely in harm’s way and justifiably frightened.”
The three shooters were arrested and charged with felony willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, serving as a serious reminder that public safety must always take precedence over recreational shooting.
Mono County Sheriff’s Office:
September 26, 2025:
This afternoon at 1:50 pm Mono County Dispatch received multiple reports from hikers on Parker Lake Trail that shots were being fired in their direction. Our dispatcher could hear the shots while on the phone with the caller. Responding deputies were able to ascertain where the shots were coming from and, fearing an active shooter, immediately moved toward the sound of fire. They discovered three subjects target shooting north of the trail. The target shooters stopped their activity and complied with deputies’ directions.
Several hikers were interviewed as they came off the trail. Many stated they heard multiple gunshots and could feel and hear bullets passing overhead. They hunkered down behind rocks and trees until the shooting stopped. While no injuries were reported, they were definitely in harm’s way and justifiably frightened.
The three target shooters, all from Southern California, were arrested and booked into Mono County Jail for initial felony charges of Willful Discharge of a Firearm in a Grossly Negligent Manner.
Many thanks to our law enforcement partners at the California Highway Patrol, USFS Law Enforcement, and Mammoth Lakes Police Department, who responded and assisted with containing the scene and assisting with the investigation.
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