Man, 18, charged with six felonies in LAPD helicopter shooting

Prosecutors charged an 18-year-old Tuesday with half a dozen felonies, including attempted murder of a peace officer, in connection with the Easter Sunday shooting of an LAPD helicopter that pierced its fuel tank.

Danny Anthony Lopez was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, one count of shooting at an occupied aircraft and one count of carrying a loaded firearm as part of a street gang with the allegation he personally discharged a firearm.

If convicted, Lopez could face a maximum term of life in prison. He was being held in Los Angeles County jail in lieu of $2.24-million bail.

Authorities say Lopez opened fire on the helicopter, which was responding to a call about 6 a.m. of shots fired near Saticoy Street and Densmore Avenue.

A bullet hit the helicopter's fuel tank, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at Van Nuys Airport. Neither the officer nor the spotter were injured.

Lopez was taken into custody after being subdued by family members.

LAPD investigators received a report of a second suspect firing shots at the helicopter, but they later determined no one else was involved.

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-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[KC]

Thanks to lawmakers here is another 18 year old kid that will spend the rest of his life in prison at taxpayer's expense. He doesn't deserve that. He deserves the lethal injection that will save the state millions over the course of his lifetime. Yet, that won't happen. The state would rather pay $4-$5 million over his lifetime to house and feed him.

[Ome-Coatl]

In my world, these people would be executed immediately after being found guilty. However, the Prison Guards Union would not like that since they would have less work to do, less paychecks to bilk the public for.

[Lost City Of Angels]

Guantanamo seems fit a place. This is urban home-grown terrorism. Why gangs are considered terrorists is beyond comprehension.

[Lost City Of Angels]

Aren't...considered terrorists...

[Yield Junkie]

Lopez has to be a candidate for the world's stupidest human being.

[Mathmattx]

Take him up in the chopper and chuck him out at 5-thousand feet. If he lives he goes free, if not...

[Montana Gold]

Just like a game of Grand Theft Auto 4, just in this game... you go to the pokie with bubba.

[The Piper]

Subdued by family members? That's remarkable. I wonder how they feel knowing he's facing life in prison.

[doublestandards]

you got to give it to the kid that was a good shot they should send him to war some where not jail

[Al]

Game Over..

[Tazio]

Execute the terrorist. Hang its carcass in the neighborhood it lived in. Send a message this garbage will NOT be tolerated in the United States of America.

[Jag]

The suspect is indeed pretty dumb for what he did. Fortunately no one was hurt. So for all of you who are so eager to see the suspect be killed by lethal injection or other means shame on you!

[Ted]

That is an interesting comment about sending him to war. I think that's what they did in the past? If he survives front line forward duty he can continue a life. The whole Lee Marvin "Dirty Dozen" thing.

[Noangelcity]

All of you who state that he should be executed for shooting at a helicopter seriously need your head examined. You are just as bad as these crazies, just reading the post most of you should be locked up for good. You are no better then this boy, matter of fact worse for wishing death on someone who shot a helicopter and no injuries, wow you all sound like the extremist Taliban.

[KC]

Dumb stupid kid. He's going to pay for this for the rest of his life. And he should. He could have caused a devastating tragedy. If he was just a year younger, I'd hold his parents responsible too. They raised a monster.

[justkillem]

To the posters saying they should just execute them,
You would love to live in China then, because thats what they do to drug dealers, and murderers.

[spike]

He's not a terrorist, he just possesses a tragically low I. Q. He should be locked up forever for stupidily, alone.

Cheers!

[Dave]

They need to treat this as a terrorist action and execute the punk. They need to treat all gang-related crimes as "terrorist actions" against the people and deal with these cowards accordingly!!!! Not send them to prison so they can be honored, and spend time with family and friends.....Enough is enough with these cowards!!

[Montana Gold-]

This kid belongs in the nut house. Playing too much GTA4.

[Tazio]

Dave is correct.

For those who have condemned such as myself to death for merely noting that this terrorist SHOULD be executed, and use statements like "no one was injured" to back up their claims, how would you softies feel if the copter went down, killing not only the Police Officer, but locals on the ground? Would you tell the terrorist who shot the copter "there there... you're just a troubled youth. Let me get you some lemonade"?

[William]

I am glad no one was injured and everyone made it out ok . . .

I personally wish that the LAPD would show more respect for the general public with their use of airspace . . .

Much of the use of helicopters in residential areas in odd hours is excessive where I live. As is the use of spot lights and such.

There are many times I personally would like to know what criminal in my neighborhood warranted the aggressive use of a helicopter and spot light so close to my roof at such a late hour turning my home into a war zone.

Maybe it is because the arrests made do not ever make major headlines I take it for granted . . . I never read "Convicted Murder arrested near where I live." So it seems to me much of the airspace used is a waste of tax payer funds, a disrespect for the general public and borderline actual state sanctioned "terrorism".

The nut case is in jail. If I had a dime for every time one of those things caused major disturbance in my home I would not have to work any more.

[Kaligah]

You guys are all mean! I knew this kid and yes he did shoot the helicopter but you guys don't know what his life was like at home! It was horrible! He was going crazy! Literally if I had video of what he would do I would show the lawyer so he can plead insanity, but I don't! This kid was doing good in school! Ask all his teachers! Before all this he wanted to go to the marines but he had tattoo's so he knew he wouldn't be eligible! I'm not sure why he would do this! It's just sad now because his whole life is lost! All I can do now is blame it on his mother!

[RLB]

The "SPOTTER" is call a TACTICAL FLIGHT OFFICER, and yes he/she is a police officer. Do you research before posting the news.

[Tazio]

Kaligah, his mother did not shoot the copter. Yes, too many people have kids they can't take care of (and shouldn't be allowed to have them, for sure, especially if they're sucking our tax dollars down on section 8, food stamps, and have been taking our tax dollars for generations, but that's another story...). But that doesn't mean this idiot isn't responsible for his actions.

You say he couldn't join the USMC because he has tattoos. Why did he have tattoos before he was 18, anyhow? Gang member?

Off the scum. Save our money.

[Luke Est]

--- Now think about this, if that helicopter did go down, how many lives could have been lost??? ---

Ponder that thought.