Man Fires Rifle at Helicopter, Gets 9 Years

A man who fired a semi-automatic rifle at a law enforcement helicopter has received a nine-year sentence in federal prison. The 41-year-old individual, Justin Derek Jennings of Laguna Niguel, pleaded guilty last year to attempting to damage an aircraft. This offense occurred on March 9, 2024, during his birthday celebration at his home.

Court documents indicate Jennings had been drinking and discharged an entire magazine of ammunition inside his residence, prompting his family to flee and alert authorities. As deputies and a helicopter responded, Jennings continued firing towards the sky from the second story. The shooting persisted intermittently for at least 20 minutes before his surrender. Authorities seized multiple firearms and ammunition from the home.