Posted on 07/20/2002 10:55:01 AM PDT by RCW2001
Saturday, July 20, 2002
©2002 Associated Press
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/07/20/national1301EDT0525.DTL
(07-20) 10:01 PDT WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) --
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.
©2002 Associated Press
pronounced "SEAN PENN"
I think the only silent letter would be the second w
First of all what does schitzos mean? Second did it occur to you that he hight have been born here in the States. Not every one has a English sounding last name. After all this is a country of immigrants
Well, I wouldn't really call an AR-15 an assault rifle. It's more like a glorified .22 rifle. But yeah, even so, it is great that schizos like that can really own one- seriously- it's called the Bill of Rights. The lefties hate it and they're out to destroy it. I'd feel much safer if 100% of our citizenry were armed at all times than not and I guarantee, it would be a much more civil society.
I didnt call security at the Reactor. I made a personal call to my friend [who happens to be one of the heads of security there] on his cell phone and inform him of what I witnessed. Ask his opinion and what he thought.
In turn he performed a...[I cant reveal that]...and then he told me to call the FAA & FBI and explain to them what I saw.
The FBI in conjunction with the FAA in Richmond, Va contacted NORAD who notified them that they had recently activated the flight path over [Literally] my house. The FAA called me back and explained the situation.
No overreaction at all.
We have an Al Fuqra compound here nearby and the FBI & ATF have the place surrounded. Anyone in and out of it is identified and tailed. It is quite the little event.
Given the direction the loch came from and the direction it was heading, erring on the side of caution was responsible enough.
I am no hillbilly crackpot scanning the heavens for the end of the world sucker punch.
Decorated former Marine who followed the obvious proceadures.
Now I know. And unlike the idiot in the article....I wont be opening fire on any Helos anytime soon.
~grin~
The Democrat Underground was nearly unrepresented on this thread!
Please present your evidence that this man was schizophrenic. A doctorate in Psychology and a record of appointments consulting your office will suffice, but I will take any citation of schizophrenia by the newspaper reporting these events as evidence as well.
BTW: You spelled schizophrenia wrong/
Oh come now, dear fellow: The seminars at Democrat Underground on how to be an effective troll certainly have taught you that much!!!
Do you think serial killers should own their own business? who could have known he'd be a serial killer eh?...What a country ,right?
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