21 JULY 2002: “Maybe
I overreacted…”

Man, fearing terrorists, fires at helicopter

July 20, 2002 Posted: 1:22
PM EDT (1722 GMT)

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (AP)
— 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 semiretired 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 September 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 $10,000 in fines if convicted.