Breaks Interstate Park will receive $2,000 in restitution from Brandon Dean Blankenship after he pled guilty this week to unlawfully killing a black bear inside the park in July.
 
Park Superintendent Matthew O'Quinn said typically, restitution for an unlawfully killed animal would be directed to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. However, O'Quinn asked that the money be awarded to the park to be used toward conservation efforts and also to educate visitors about the American black bear. Upon agreement of counsel and the arresting officer, that request was granted.
 
"We have a unique opportunity to draw something positive from a very unfortunate incident," said O'Quinn. He noted that the bear Blankenship killed was set to be displayed in a full body mount inside the park as part of an educational and informational display about the American Black Bear. "We have worked throughout this year to help educate our visitors about the wildlife found here at the park, especially bears, because of the frequency of sightings. This display will create a real point of interest for those who see it and aid our educational efforts tremendously," O'Quinn added.
 
In addition to restitution, Blankenship was fined $250 and ordered to pay court costs by Judge Rich Patterson in Dickenson County General District Court on October 6. Patterson ruled that a charge against Blankenship for discharging a firearm within the boundaries of a state park would be held under advisement for six months, to be dismissed if the fine and restitution are paid.
 
Blankenship, 19, of Powhatan, Virginia, was arrested in July after killing a bear he saw near his campsite.
 
Breaks Park Assistant Superintendent Tim Wallace, who responded to the call, said a heap of hamburger meat along with snacks and other food items had been left open and unsecured outside the tent. Wallace said according to eyewitnesses, Blankenship was at the park basketball court but returned to his campsite with a gun after being told the bear had been seen outside his tent. Wallace said there was no evidence of aggressive behavior by the bear.