Virginia man opens fires on helicopter, thinking occupants are terrorists, police say

Associated Press / SFGate

[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  

[TADSLOS]

Am I the only one noticing a rash of newbie trolls posting here lately?

No, they've been swarming like freshly hatched maggots all week.

[Clive]

Too bad he can't be charged with crappy fire discipline.

And for missing.

Anyone who can't hit a target that big and that low is a damned menace.

[Pistias]

You guys got a blooper reel we could have a look at? I mean, by nuking the little goofballs, we're being deprived of the only value these guys probably have: laughs.

[Dan Day]

You guys got a blooper reel we could have a look at?

ROFL. I'd probably pay good money to see that.

[Kaslin]

Whats with this "Here, hold ma beer, now watch this!" bit so suddenly?

[chance33_98]

Pic of the man from artcile here

[Double Tap]

what??? It was a joke. Someone made a comment that he must have been drinking, so I cracked a joke. Did I do something to offend you?

[Don Joe]

"I'm gonna guess it's pronounced something like......KAZESKEE or maybe even KAZKEE."

My money's on something like "Shazeffski" (emphasis on second syllable, with the "z" having a sound like a "french j" (like in "Jacques").

(An old hunting buddy had a similar style name.)

[Lazamataz]

Nuked him, thanks.

I live to serve.

[Kaslin]

Oh no, it is just that I hear it (see it) So often here now

[Kaslin]

It reminds me of those ...belong to us jokes

[Don Joe]

Check the poll results at that link.

[Double Tap]

Sorry. I guess humor is not my strong suit. Maybe I should stick to lurking.

[Kaslin]

no, just post whenever you feel like. No apology neccessary btw

[Prodigal Son]

Am I the only one noticing a rash of newbie trolls posting here lately?

Nope you're not the only one. I think the thing is, they (the liberals) get mad when none of their pet scandals stick to Dubya and coming over here to disrupt is their way of "doing something". They're probaby heavily invested in World Com ;-)

[robertpaulsen]

Was he shooting at a low-flying helicopter? I thought it had already landed.

[Cloud William]

They (certain military-pattern firearms) certainly are more plentiful. But have you noticed the costs. Used to be you could buy an SKS with all the accesories for $89. Now you have to give $250 for one in good condition.

Yeah, I remember the days of SKS rifles for $75.00 plus tax. Those low prices ended when Clinton killed those imports coming from China (boy, is that ironic, considering what he was sending the opposite way). While prices on those rifles have increased, AR-15 pattern rifles and carbines have dropped in price in the past year or so. I've noticed a recent dip in prices of "pre-ban" AR-15s, so perhaps the market is anticipating that the Assault Weapon law will actually sunset. Here's hoping...

[mamelukesabre]

I think you're right about the first two letters and the french "J" sound. But I don't see where you come up with the double "ff".

I'm revising my pronounciation to SHAZESKEE or SHAZKEE, with the Z being the same as the french J.

[mamelukesabre]

I think you can still get moisin-nagants for around 50 bucks.

The SKS is a semi-auto that shoots the old AK-47 round, right? That round was a short-brassed 30 caliber round, I beleive...quite a bit shorter than the .308 winchester round and only slightly more powerful than our 223 remington. The old bolt action nagants shoot the old rimmed 30 caliber rounds that are almost like the old british 303 rounds except a tad longer and maybe a tad wider. It is way more powerful than that old AK-47 round.

[TC Rider]

wow ... how does one pronounce that?

Silly, you pronounce it the way it's spelled.