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

Sat Jul 20, 2:53 PM ET

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia - 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 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 dlrs 10,000 in fines if convicted.

-- ooops (attempted murder @ innocent. civilians), July 22, 2002

Answers

LOL, Dumbya's got the pugs so worked up they're in a constant state of paranoia! They probably shoot at anyone with dark skin who passes through their neighborhood.

-- (hee haaaw! @ morning. chuckle), July 22, 2002.

John Chwaszczewski! The dumb polack. He probably has pink flamingos and a BVM in a bathtub in his front yard. Repug retardos, heeeeeheee ROTFL.

-- (klutz pug @ can't.shoot straight), July 22, 2002.

I have pink flamingos...12 of them, however, they're in the back yard not the front. My back yard is a tropical friggin paradise.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), July 22, 2002.

I cried because I had no shoes.....until I met a man who had no pink flamingos.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), July 22, 2002.

Pink Flamingos

-- (cult classic @ Ballmer.MD), July 22, 2002.