Free Republic

A West Side man arrested on suspicion of shooting down a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department helicopter apparently had the skills to do it— he is a former Marine Corps marksmanship instructor who served and was wounded in Afghanistan, court records show. Jason Kerns, 29, who described himself to police as a "sniper" just after the chopper crashed on Aug. 6 on the edge of the Paradise Hills golf course, is a former lance corporal who was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2001. He served as a helicopter mechanic and range coach marksmanship instructor, according to an arrest warrant. Kerns...

Authorities have charged a former US marine marksman with shooting down a sheriff's helicopter, alleging that he bragged to investigators that it would be no problem for him to "make that shot". Jason Kerns, 29, was arrested on Monday for the August 6 shooting. He allegedly told investigators he watched the chopper go down but apparently made no direct admission of responsibility. Kerns was being held on $US1.8 million ($2.3 million) bond. Authorities recovered firearms from the suspect's home, including a rifle they believe was used in the shooting, along with boxes of ammunition. Pilot Chris Holland and sheriff's deputy...