Former Marine arrested for shooting down ABQ police chopper

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Former Marine arrested for shooting down ABQ police chopper (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 8/16/2005 3:46:01 PM EDT

That was pretty dumb.

Former marine sniper accused of shooting sheriff's helicopter

ALBUQUERQUE -- News 13 has learned that the man accused of shooting down a sheriff’s department helicopter is a former sniper in the US Marines.

Jason Kerns, 29, was arrested Monday at his home on Columbus Circle, located near the crash site in Paradise Hills.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff says it's apparent Kerns’ training played a role in the incident. The helicopter was 400 feet above the ground when it was hit and landed over 1600 feet away from kern’s property.

Kearns was honorably discharged from the military in 2001 and does not have a criminal history.

According to the criminal complaint, Kerns told deputies he heard a gunshot and then saw the chopper go down in the early morning of August 6th.

He said he then ran to help the pilot and deputy. However, deputies soon learned it wasn't Kerns who helped the occupants, was he was the only person who heard a gunshot.

Gun linked to Kerns
They did several interviews with Kerns, and set up surveillance on his home. They soon learned kerns owns a high-powered 30-06 rifle.

Forensic investigators were able to determine the gun matched the bullet that brought down the helicopter.

Kerns was arrested in his driveway as he arrived home Monday night.

Kearns is facing state charges, and could soon face federal charges.

“What’s important is that we're going to prosecute this crime to the fullest,” says Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. “There are some very serious charges implied against someone who shoots at an aircraft. We intend to work with the FBI and (District) attorneys’ office to bring those charges.”

www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=11570

Posted: 8/16/2005 3:51:08 PM EDT

[#1]

What a idiot

Posted: 8/16/2005 3:53:31 PM EDT

[#2]

There is a several page thread on this incident here

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=378064

It included many of the cop bashers and tin foil hat crowd claiming the pilot shot himself, or the observer shot the pilot, or the gunshot story was made up to cover up bad piloting skills. Of course that crowd is strangly silent now....

Posted: 8/16/2005 3:55:11 PM EDT

[#3]

[works eraser]~~Former Marine~~ Terrorist ~~.30-06~~ .50BMG

60 Minutes is gonna have a field day with this one.

Posted: 8/16/2005 3:59:57 PM EDT

[#4]

the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:00:48 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Article says 400 feet, not 500 meters.

WHOOPS, the altitude was 400 feet.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:01:00 PM EDT

[#6]

Why doesn't everyone want to reserve judgment or concede 'they weren't there' like when a cop fucks up?

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:01:43 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Article says 400 feet, not 500 meters.

Altitude.

What about horizontal distance?

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:03:02 PM EDT

[#8]

Nice shot.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:05:26 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Article says 400 feet, not 500 meters.

Altitude.

What about horizontal distance?

I reckon about 550 yards.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:05:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
There is a several page thread on this incident here

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=378064

It included many of the cop bashers and tin foil hat crowd claiming the pilot shot himself, or the observer shot the pilot, or the gunshot story was made up to cover up bad piloting skills. Of course that crowd is strangly silent now....

YOU WERE THE SECOND PERSON TO POST A REPLY!!!

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:06:40 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Nice shot.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:08:46 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

It's an equation.

They have what they would consider a prime suspect, therefore whatever flimsy evidence they have fills the other "we are 95% certain he did it, to total 100%.

5% evidence - 95% "I really think it's him"

ETA: He will walk if he holds his ground.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:09:03 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Kerns was arrested in his driveway as he arrived home Monday night.

what? no standoff? no arriving in the middle of the night kicking in the Marine sniper's door?

have they actually changed tactics?

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:09:21 PM EDT

[#14]

If one bullet from a hunting rifle will bring down their chopper...

wow, im not really sure what to say about this. Seriously.

This was in Texas, right? Who in Texas doesnt own a 30-06

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:10:00 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

It's an equation.

They have what they would consider a prime suspect, therefore whatever flimsy evidence they have fills the other "we are 95% certain he did it, to total 100%.

5% evidence - 95% "I really think it's him"

i don't know about his town, but around here, you just can't be trusted if you don't own at least one 30-06.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:11:16 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
There is a several page thread on this incident here

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=378064

It included many of the cop bashers and tin foil hat crowd claiming the pilot shot himself, or the observer shot the pilot, or the gunshot story was made up to cover up bad piloting skills. Of course that crowd is strangly silent now....

YOU WERE THE SECOND PERSON TO POST A REPLY!!!

Have not returned to the thread where they made their allegations of police misconduct. not this dupe.

As for the claims that fragmented bullets hold no evidentiary value. The combined weight of all recovered fragments is indicative of caliber among other things.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:12:19 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Metallurgical analysis. You can look at very small changes in lead content and determine what batch a round came from (in theory). I'm guessing here that it was the rounds he had on hand, not the gun, that linked him.

Then again, it depends on the degree of fragmentation. It could have been less severe and kept the base intact which would give up riflling information.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:12:22 PM EDT

[#18]

This is all very strange... I dont see how they have enough evidence.

I think its a good lead at least... but I withhold judgement which is strangely out of character for me

- BG

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:13:41 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Nice shot.

Yup.
Sounds to me like somone was practicing dry-firing and forgot to unload their gun

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:16:07 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
the original article said the bullet fragmented, how did they trace it to the gun? Why would he take a 500 yard shot to shoot down a helicopter? This doesn't make alot of sense......

Metallurgical analysis. You can look at very small changes in lead content and determine what batch a round came from (in theory). I'm guessing here that it was the rounds he had on hand, not the gun, that linked him.

Then again, it depends on the degree of fragmentation. It could have been less severe and kept the base intact which would give up riflling information.

I've heard they can use metallurgical analysis to trace the lead content of the bullet to the lead content in the barrel, but supposedly a good barrel cleaning fixes that.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:26:51 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
That was pretty dumb.

Former marine sniper accused of shooting sheriff's helicopter

ALBUQUERQUE -- News 13 has learned that the man accused of shooting down a sheriff’s department helicopter is a former sniper in the US Marines.

Jason Kerns, 29, was arrested Monday at his home on Columbus Circle, located near the crash site in Paradise Hills.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff says it's apparent Kerns’ training played a role in the incident. The helicopter was 400 feet above the ground when it was hit and landed over 1600 feet away from kern’s property.

Kearns was honorably discharged from the military in 2001 and does not have a criminal history.

According to the criminal complaint, Kerns told deputies he heard a gunshot and then saw the chopper go down in the early morning of August 6th.

He said he then ran to help the pilot and deputy. However, deputies soon learned it wasn't Kerns who helped the occupants, was he was the only person who heard a gunshot.

Gun linked to Kerns
They did several interviews with Kerns, and set up surveillance on his home. They soon learned kerns owns a high-powered 30-06 rifle.

Forensic investigators were able to determine the gun matched the bullet that brought down the helicopter.

Kerns was arrested in his driveway as he arrived home Monday night.

Kearns is facing state charges, and could soon face federal charges.

“What’s important is that we're going to prosecute this crime to the fullest,” says Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. “There are some very serious charges implied against someone who shoots at an aircraft. We intend to work with the FBI and (District) attorneys’ office to bring those charges.”

www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=11570

I TOLD YOU A 30-06 COULD DO IT.........

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:32:42 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
That was pretty dumb.

Former marine sniper accused of shooting sheriff's helicopter

ALBUQUERQUE -- News 13 has learned that the man accused of shooting down a sheriff’s department helicopter is a former sniper in the US Marines.

Jason Kerns, 29, was arrested Monday at his home on Columbus Circle, located near the crash site in Paradise Hills.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff says it's apparent Kerns’ training played a role in the incident. The helicopter was 400 feet above the ground when it was hit and landed over 1600 feet away from kern’s property.

Kearns was honorably discharged from the military in 2001 and does not have a criminal history.

According to the criminal complaint, Kerns told deputies he heard a gunshot and then saw the chopper go down in the early morning of August 6th.

He said he then ran to help the pilot and deputy. However, deputies soon learned it wasn't Kerns who helped the occupants, was he was the only person who heard a gunshot.

Gun linked to Kerns
They did several interviews with Kerns, and set up surveillance on his home. They soon learned kerns owns a high-powered 30-06 rifle.

Forensic investigators were able to determine the gun matched the bullet that brought down the helicopter.

Kerns was arrested in his driveway as he arrived home Monday night.

Kearns is facing state charges, and could soon face federal charges.

“What’s important is that we're going to prosecute this crime to the fullest,” says Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. “There are some very serious charges implied against someone who shoots at an aircraft. We intend to work with the FBI and (District) attorneys’ office to bring those charges.”

www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=11570

Damn, it's beginning. At least they have added "sniper rifle" yet.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:35:21 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
That was pretty dumb.

Former marine sniper accused of shooting sheriff's helicopter

ALBUQUERQUE -- News 13 has learned that the man accused of shooting down a sheriff’s department helicopter is a former sniper in the US Marines.

Jason Kerns, 29, was arrested Monday at his home on Columbus Circle, located near the crash site in Paradise Hills.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff says it's apparent Kerns’ training played a role in the incident. The helicopter was 400 feet above the ground when it was hit and landed over 1600 feet away from kern’s property.

Kearns was honorably discharged from the military in 2001 and does not have a criminal history.

According to the criminal complaint, Kerns told deputies he heard a gunshot and then saw the chopper go down in the early morning of August 6th.

He said he then ran to help the pilot and deputy. However, deputies soon learned it wasn't Kerns who helped the occupants, was he was the only person who heard a gunshot.

Gun linked to Kerns
They did several interviews with Kerns, and set up surveillance on his home. They soon learned kerns owns a high-powered 30-06 rifle.

Forensic investigators were able to determine the gun matched the bullet that brought down the helicopter.

Kerns was arrested in his driveway as he arrived home Monday night.

Kearns is facing state charges, and could soon face federal charges.

“What’s important is that we're going to prosecute this crime to the fullest,” says Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. “There are some very serious charges implied against someone who shoots at an aircraft. We intend to work with the FBI and (District) attorneys’ office to bring those charges.”

www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=11570

I TOLD YOU A 30-06 COULD DO IT.........

well, he's right

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:35:41 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Nice shot.

[GySgt Hartman mode on]...because he learned to shoot in the Marines...[/Gysgt Hartman mode off]

"Marines kill everything they see." including helos

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:41:22 PM EDT

[#25]

Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:46:14 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Nice shot.

[GySgt Hartman mode on]...because he learned to shoot in the Marines...[/Gysgt Hartman mode off]

"Marines kill everything they see." including helos

And that is why we are still thankful that the 30-40 Krag was developed and improved to the .30-03 then resized the the "perfect round" .30-06

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:50:23 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted: [GySgt Hartman mode on]...because he learned to shoot in the Marines...[/Gysgt Hartman mode off] "Marines kill everything they see." including helos

Heh! Any word on the real reason why the ex-Marine shot down the police helicopter?

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:52:28 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
Nice shot.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:53:24 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
If one bullet from a hunting rifle will bring down their chopper...

wow, im not really sure what to say about this. Seriously.

This was in Texas, right? Who in Texas doesnt own a 30-06

One bullet could bring down most helos, certainly what I flew if it was well placed. A Sikorsky test pilot told me that the H-60 series is designed to take a single 7.62 NATO hit anwhere and survive. That's pretty hearty if it is a gearbox or a tail rotor drive shaft or any other number of small complex parts.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:57:07 PM EDT

[#30]

Hope he enjoys fudge pounding. Because he's about to find out.

Posted: 8/16/2005 4:58:23 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
Hope he enjoys fudge pounding. Because he's about to find out.

"hey boah! Yo sho do gots a pretty mouf!"

Posted: 8/16/2005 5:15:26 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Quoted: [GySgt Hartman mode on]...because he learned to shoot in the Marines...[/Gysgt Hartman mode off] "Marines kill everything they see." including helos
Heh! Any word on the real reason why the ex-Marine shot down the police helicopter?

I'm thinking boredom. The hold my beer and watch this mentality...

Posted: 8/16/2005 5:17:17 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
Nice shot.

Not really. Sounds like he hit kinda low if he hit one of the pedals.

If I was ever going to do something incredibly fucking stupid like shooting at a helicopter, I think I'd be going for the engine and transmission, not the pilot.

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:32:31 PM EDT

[#34]

All they would need really would be a large piece of copper jacket and a few extra bits. They probably dug that out of the pilot's leg.

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:35:21 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Yah, that was my question?

WTF?

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:41:52 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Yah, that was my question?

WTF?

Read Austrian's post. They probably did a metallugical analysis of the fragments and compared them to the composition of the bullets owned by the shooter. When they matched, they arrested him.

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:43:58 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Yah, that was my question?

WTF?

Read Austrian's post. They probably did a metallugical analysis of the fragments and compared them to the composition of the bullets owned by the shooter. When they matched, they arrested him.

So they spent the money, probably well into the 5 figure mark, to do this..but they can't catch gangbanger murderers and other scum?

/me shakes his head

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:51:37 PM EDT

[#38]

Simple explanation. They recovered the base of the bullet. Even SIMPLER explanation. Numbnuts shooter implicated himself six different ways.

Not everything in LE requires CSI.

Who was it touting Occam's Razor?

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:52:07 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Yah, that was my question?

WTF?

Read Austrian's post. They probably did a metallugical analysis of the fragments and compared them to the composition of the bullets owned by the shooter. When they matched, they arrested him.

So they spent the money, probably well into the 5 figure mark, to do this..but they can't catch gangbanger murderers and other scum?

/me shakes his head

Yeah, I'm happy they caught him too

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:52:08 PM EDT

[#40]

My, my, my, they certainly got the bullet forensics out of a crashed chopper, and back from the lab awful fast..............

Posted: 8/16/2005 6:53:44 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Simpler explanation. They recovered the base of the bullet. Even SIMPLER explanation. Numbnuts shooter implicated himself six different ways.

Not everything in LE requires CSI.

Who was it touting Occam's Razor?

Yeah Yeah...possible, just didnt see it mentioned anywhere...

Got a point, though

Posted: 8/16/2005 7:00:48 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
Simple explanation. They recovered the base of the bullet. Even SIMPLER explanation. Numbnuts shooter implicated himself six different ways.

Not everything in LE requires CSI.

Who was it touting Occam's Razor?

That was in the other thread. Some tin foil hat club member claiming the helo was brought down by a crew members ND, IIRC.

Posted: 8/16/2005 7:16:12 PM EDT

[#43]

If he did it he is either a hell of a shot, or damn UNlucky. I question tho if the bullet fragged that they can link it in any way unless he talks. Hell, they could not even match up fired bullets with BBLs with enough certainty that the whole ballistics forensics angle was shot to hell in states that tried it. So they SAY it came from a 30/06, BS, could have come from a 308 too, or how many other 30 cal rifles. If all they are playing on is forensics all he will need is a good lawyer. Match the lead? Jacketed. Match the Jacket? How many cases were sold in the area of that lot number? If he did it he's a dumb ass and deserves what he gets, Bout all they will be able to prove is if he fired the gun recently and I doubt they checked his hands and such for powder at the time of the incident. Besides, with a rifle there would probably be none anyways. I'd like to see more evidence first myself that is not so sketchy.

Posted: 8/16/2005 8:36:12 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
If he did it he is either a hell of a shot...

Hovering at 400 feet its less than a 140M shot.

Posted: 8/16/2005 8:52:55 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
[works eraser]~~Former Marine~~ Terrorist ~~.30-06~~ .50BMG

60 Minutes is gonna have a field day with this one.

At least we can argue that banning 50's is pointless if this guy is baggin' choppers with the most popular caliber of rifle in America.

Posted: 8/16/2005 8:58:19 PM EDT

[#46]

Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot.mp3

Posted: 8/16/2005 9:24:10 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Motive?

the bullet fragmented, yet they are positive it was a 30-cal round from his rifle?

Yah, that was my question?

WTF?

Read Austrian's post. They probably did a metallugical analysis of the fragments and compared them to the composition of the bullets owned by the shooter. When they matched, they arrested him.

So they spent the money, probably well into the 5 figure mark, to do this..but they can't catch gangbanger murderers and other scum?

/me shakes his head

Nah. Standard FBI lab test. Has been criticized in past as not narrowing down things well enough. (A single batch of LC ammo could be 30,000 rounds, all of which have similar if not the same results on the test).

Still, cheap. They DID say FBI was involved, no?

Posted: 8/16/2005 9:33:09 PM EDT

[#48]

gotta stop trippin that acid when you come back from the desert...it Fs w/ ur mind

Posted: 8/16/2005 9:58:23 PM EDT

[#49]

A 550 yard "one shot, one kill" on a helo is pretty damn impressive (or lucky).

I have no idea the motives. Maybe the guy freaked out and thought he was a Vietcong or something.

Posted: 8/16/2005 10:17:42 PM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:
A 550 yard "one shot, one kill" on a helo is pretty damn impressive (or lucky).

I have no idea the motives. Maybe the guy freaked out and thought he was a Vietcong or something.

That was feet, not meters,

I guess I'm not surprised a marine trained sniper could make such a shot, that he chose to do so is the mystery.

At least no one was killed.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Former Marine arrested for shooting down ABQ police chopper (Page 1 of 2)

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