PORTLAND, Ore. – Nearly a decade after the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, one of its leaders, Ryan Bundy, says he will finally undergo surgery to remove what he believes is a bullet fragment lodged in his shoulder from that day.
A Decision Sparked by Anger
Bundy announced his decision this week, saying it was spurred by his family’s outrage over FBI Director Kash Patel awarding bravery medals to agents who were involved in the 2016 roadblock confrontation.
Bundy, who was inside Robert “LaVoy” Finicum’s truck when it swerved to avoid a law enforcement blockade, called the move a “disgrace.”
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“Our family is disgusted,” Bundy said. “The FBI is giving medals to the very people whose actions remain clouded in secrecy.”
The Day of the Standoff
The confrontation unfolded on January 26, 2016, after weeks of an armed occupation at the Malheur refuge in southeastern Oregon. As Finicum attempted to drive past a roadblock on a remote highway, his truck was fired upon.
While state police ultimately shot and killed Finicum after he exited the vehicle and reached toward his coat pocket—where officers said he had a handgun—two earlier shots fired at the truck remain a source of controversy.
To this day, it has never been publicly established who fired those shots.
A Lingering Injury
Bundy said he has lived for years with what he suspects is a bullet fragment in his shoulder from the barrage of gunfire. Until now, he chose not to pursue surgery.
But with the recent announcement of FBI medals tied to the operation, Bundy said he felt compelled to act, both for personal closure and as a statement against what he views as government overreach.
“This isn’t just about me,” Bundy said. “It’s about accountability. It’s about the truth of what happened that day.”
Unanswered Questions
The controversy over the FBI’s role in the standoff has long been a flashpoint. In 2018, an FBI agent was indicted on charges of making false statements related to the gunfire but was later acquitted. The debate over transparency and accountability continues to shadow the events in Harney County.
For Bundy and his family, the lack of clarity fuels suspicion. They argue that until the government fully accounts for who fired those shots, questions about excessive force and cover-ups will persist.
Looking Ahead
Bundy, the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, has remained active in anti-government and land-rights causes since the 2016 standoff. His upcoming surgery, however, ties him directly back to the events that made him a national figure.
While he has not provided a timeline for the procedure, Bundy said removing the fragment is about reclaiming control after years of frustration.
“They may hand out medals,” Bundy said, “but I carry the reminder of that day in my body. It’s time to face it.”
