Thread: Helicopter sniping incident ends; no second suspect found

Helicopter sniping incident ends; no second suspect found

April 24, 2011 | 3:07 pm

Police found no second armed man at the site of a sniping incident Sunday that damaged an LAPD helicopter, forcing it to land at Van Nuys Airport.

At least one suspect, a 20-year-old man, has been arrested in the incident, which occurred about 6 a.m. near Saticoy Street and Densmore Avenue.

The suspicion that a second armed man may have been involved came after police had arrested the first suspect, who had been firing shots randomly and then directed his gunfire at a responding helicopter. Residents reported a second armed man in a nearby building.

The original shooter was subdued by his family and taken into custody by police.

The earlier shots hit the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak and the helicopter to make an emergency landing.

"This situation could have easily turned tragic, and we were just fortunate that the aircraft was able to land safely without injury to the officers or the public," Asst. Chief Earl Paysinger said. "It's ironic that it happened on Easter Sunday. Someone divine was watching over us."

There were no immediate reports of injuries to officers aboard the copter.

At least one apartment building was evacuated, and some residents were waiting in a nearby school auditorium. Portions of Densmore and Saticoy could remain closed for several hours as authorities work to apprehend the second suspect. It was not known if the two suspects knew each other.

"Anyone that resides in the area, we suggest they stay out," said Det. Sgt. Gus Villanueva, an LAPD spokesman.

Resident Irene Garcia, 43, was sleeping when she awoke to the sound of gunfire. She and her family had planned to attend church and then celebrate Easter at her sister's home. Instead, Garcia had to evacuate her apartment building along with her husband, daughter and 20-month-old grandson.

"We're waiting to see if we can go back to get his Easter basket and clothes," Garcia said as she stood outside in the chilly air.

The incident ended about 2:45 p.m., and residents were allowed back into the area.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... found.html

Suspect arrested in LAPD helicopter shooting
Sunday, April 24, 2011



VAN NUYS, Calif. (KABC) -- An arrest was made after an LAPD helicopter was hit by gunfire near Saticoy Street and Densmore Avenue on Sunday.

After setting up a perimeter, authorities tracked down the suspected shooter at a home along Saticoy Street. Family members inside the home pinned down the suspect and took away his weapon, a rifle. Officers arrested the suspect without incident.

The helicopter reportedly landed safely at Van Nuys Airport shortly following the shooting. No injuries were reported but the helicopter was leaking fuel.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man. His identity was not immediately released.

"I saw him when he was leaving and he appeared to be very, very distraught, as were the family members as you would imagine," said LAPD Capt. John Egan.

Egan said the family members said they were not aware of any alcohol or drug abuse on the part of the suspect, nor where they aware of any previous mental problems. However, they did tell authorities that the suspect was despondent over the loss of a friend who was recently killed.

Neighbors said the suspect had previously fired his rifle before, but mostly at nighttime.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?secti ... id=8091039

James, I just saw this on the news and before they said it, I knew it would be a hispanic. Why you may ask. Because it's in California ( L.A. area to be exact) One of the comments at the link sums it up pretty well...


"It is probably safer flying helicopters over Kabul then over LA."




I found this statement pretty idiotic ...

"Neighbors said the suspect had previously fired his rifle before, but mostly at nighttime.

And no one called the police?!!!

they said the moron was shooting with a RIFLE.
We need to stay on top of this till the immigration status is revealed.


This is the kind of idiot that would have gotten amnesty if the dream act passed. im betting

Originally Posted by jamesw62

they said the moron was shooting with a RIFLE.
We need to stay on top of this till the immigration status is revealed.


This is the kind of idiot that would have gotten amnesty if the dream act passed. im betting

Exactly and I will not be surprised if he is illegal. If not just another one of those (hijacking American citizenship) anchor brats.

stay on this story. if the guy with the gun was an illegal, his possession of a gun was a felony.

W

Man booked on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly firing at police helicopter

The LAPD copter was fired on after the pilot responded to a report of gunshots in Van Nuys, a detective says. Danny Lopez, 18, is arrested after family members tackle him. A tipster's report of a second gunman sets off a search, but no suspect is found.



By Corina Knoll and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times
8:32 p.m. PDT, April 24, 2011


An 18-year-old man was booked on suspicion of attempted murder Sunday after he allegedly shot at a police helicopter in Van Nuys, rupturing its fuel tank and forcing it to make an emergency landing. A tipster's report of a second gunman set off an hours-long search and evacuations, but no suspect was found.

The Los Angeles Police Department helicopter was fired on after the pilot responded to a report of gunshots in the 15700 block of Saticoy Street about 6 a.m., Det. Gus Villanueva said. Officers who arrived in patrol cars saw San Fernando Valley resident Danny Lopez shooting at the copter from a yard, Villanueva said. Family members eventually tackled Lopez and held him until his arrest. A semi-automatic rifle was recovered, Villanueva said.

The helicopter, which was leaking fuel, landed at Van Nuys Airport and the pilot was uninjured.

"This situation could have easily turned tragic, and we were just fortunate," Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger said. "It's ironic that it happened on Easter Sunday. Someone divine was watching over us."

Officers offered no possible motive for the shooting. Villanueva said Lopez "was upset about a friend or family member who passed away."

Lopez was jailed at the LAPD's Van Nuys station.

As officers prepared to leave the area, they received a tip of another gunman hiding on the same block. A SWAT team determined the suspect could be in an apartment building. Tenants, many of whom were awaken by the gunfire, were evacuated. Some watched as dozens of officers swarmed the neighborhood. Other residents waited out the drama at a nearby elementary school auditorium, frustrated that their Easter plans had been derailed.

"We're waiting to see if we can go back to get [my grandson's] Easter basket and clothes," said Irene Garcia, 43, who stared hopefully down the street.

Authorities narrowed the suspect's possible location to two adjoining apartments. After calling into the apartments and receiving no response, they fired tear gas about 12:25 p.m., Villanueva said. A search failed to turn up a gunman.

Villanueva said an investigation will continue, although it was possible the tipster had been wrong. Residents were allowed back into their homes about 2:45 p.m. Several of them said that although the area is generally peaceful, gunshots have been heard occasionally over the last three weeks.

Elizabeth Bell, 46, who was watching television early Sunday when she first heard the gunfire, said she was shocked to learn that the target was a helicopter.

"On Easter too!" she said. "That's the day you're supposed to relax and chill and behave."


http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/la-me- ... 4978.story

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