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| John Chwaszczewski of James City County fired a rifle at a helicopter when it landed near his home Saturday. He later used a saw to cut the weapon, which he dumped in the trash. |
| Brett England/Daily Press |
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| Copyright © 2002, Daily Press |
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - A man armed with an assault-style rifle opened fire on a helicopter landing in a residential neighborhood, thinking the chopper was carrying terrorists, police said.
Helicopter pilot John S. Sutton landed his helicopter July 13 at the home of businessman John Peters to pick him up, police said.
John Chwaszczewski, a semiretired construction worker, became alarmed when he saw the chopper swoop down over his garage, about a block from Peters' home.
"Maybe I overreacted, but I did feel this was terrorism at its utmost," Chwaszczewski said.
Chwaszczewski told police the shooting was "a natural reaction," after having watched the events of Sept. 11.
A woman who identified herself as Sutton's wife said he would have no comment.
Sutton was charged with recklessly operating an aircraft, a misdemeanor, Deputy Police Chief Ken Middlebrook said Friday. If convicted, he could face a month in jail.
Chwaszczewski was charged with interfering with an aircraft, discharging a firearm, an AR-15 rifle, in a public place, reckless handling of a firearm and assaulting Sutton. He faces up to eight years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted.