Man charged with shooting into medical helicopter in Autauga County

A man has been charged with shooting into a Haynes Life Flight helicopter in Autauga County.

The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office says at about 4:20AM today, the helicopter was landing on a medical call in a pasture just off of County Road 51.

Investigators say as the helicopter arrived, several shots were fired at it, hitting a window. A flight nurse in the helicopter was struck by the ricochet of a bullet.

Autauga County Sheriff’s deputies were already en route to help the helicopter to land safely.

The suspect, 48-year-old Peter Ellison, was arrested by deputies who say they also recovered a gun. The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration have taken over the investigation.

Ellison was booked into the Autauga County Metro Jail on the charge of shooting into an occupied vehicle. He has a $30,000 cash only bond and federal charges are pending against him.

The flight nurse was treated at the scene and the original call victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

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