Holly MatkinFlint, MI – Two gunmen have been arrested on terrorism charges for allegedly shooting at a Michigan State Police (MSP) helicopter.
The incident occurred at the Happy Hollow Nature Area at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 2, after police received a report of gunfire, WLNS reported.
Two MSP troopers in a helicopter responded to help local police as they searched the area.
The troopers soon spotted two men on a bridge and hovered above them, at which point one of the men allegedly began shooting at them, WLNS reported.
The troopers said the gunman handed the weapon off to the second suspect, who also opened fire on the helicopter.
The attack was captured by the helicopter’s video camera, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
“I don’t think there was any doubt they were intending to shoot up at the helicopter,” Leyton told WJRT. “If you watch the video from the helicopter, you can see these two individuals pointing the gun right at the helicopter and shooting, and the pilot says right along with the video, ‘now they are shooting at the aircraft.’”
Neither trooper was hit by the gunfire, and the helicopter was not damaged by the bullets, according to WLNS.
The troopers were able to direct officers on the ground to where the suspects were located and both men were apprehended and placed under arrest.
They have been identified as 26-year-old Jeremy Engelman and 26-year-old David Cox, WLNS reported.
Engelman and Cox were both charged with assault with intent to murder, terrorism, using a firearm during the commission of a felony, and attempted malicious destruction of police property.
They face up to life in prison if convicted, WJRT reported.
Both suspects have requested court-appointed legal counsel, according to WLNS.
They were ordered to be held in jail on $50,000 bond apiece.
