Investigators found “conflicting and questionable evidence” after Callum Heskett, a 26-year-old seasonal ranger, said he was attacked in the Jefferson County park

After launching a widespread manhunt for a person accused of stabbing a Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger, officials said Thursday the ranger who claimed to be attacked in Staunton State Park this week 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 say Heskett stabbed himself and was airlifted to a hospital after reporting the attack.

Heskett, a seasonal ranger at the park, radioed for help at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, claiming he had been attacked and stabbed, the sheriff’s office said. He described the assailant to the deputies and told them his attacker ran away.

His’s report launched Colorado State Patrol’s aviation teams to start looking for the attacker. The county’s SWAT and drone teams were activated. The county’s alert system warned 8,600 residents of potential danger.