Claims He Thought It Was A Drone

A man who was arrested for shooting at a medical transport helicopter said he was shooting at what he thought was a drone as the aircraft was landing in Autauga County, Alabama. A flight nurse was injured by a ricocheting bullet during the incident in which multiple rounds were fired at the helo.

Peter Matthew Ellison, age 48, has been charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle while the Life Flight helicopter was landing in a rural field during a predawn medevac mission.

Ellison was booked into the Autauga County Jail with a $30,000 bond.

Sheriff Mark Harrell said Haynes Life Flight was dispatched at 4:20 am Wednesday September 17 on a medical call near County Road 51. County volunteer firefighters had set up a landing zone in an open pasture. As the helicopter approached, shots were fired at it and struck the right side window. The flight nurse sustained a minor injury from the ricocheting bullet.

Haynes LifeFlight said, “One minor injury to a crew member was sustained during the incident, but we are thankful to be able to say that no life was taken or in immediate danger. Despite the circumstances, Haynes LifeFlight 1 was able to land the aircraft safely without further incident. The aircraft remains under inspection and repair.”

The helo was able to land safely, and deputies were already en route to assist the medical situation. The pilot and firefighters were able to give the approximate location of the shooter, and Ellison was quickly taken into custody and his gun was recovered.

Sheriff Harrell said, “It is against the federal law to point a laser, light, or shoot any object including bullets and arrows at any aircraft. It is not wise to try to take down drones as well.”

He added, “It is also incomprehensible that anyone would try to shoot at or use a device that could affect our heroes in flight that are there to save a life. We will work with our federal partners to ensure that this individual is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

FMI:  www.autaugaco.org/