Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of Firing Rifle At San Diego Police Helicopter
A 47-year-old man accused of firing a rifle at a San Diego Police Department helicopter while wearing body armor pleaded not guilty Friday.
SAN DIEGO, CA — A man witnesses described as wearing body armor who allegedly fired a rifle at a San Diego Police Department helicopter in La Jolla pleaded not guilty Friday.
David Lowe, 47, is accused of firing at least two shots at the helicopter, which was responding to reports of an armed man who witnesses said was banging on their door at about 10:15 p.m. March 13.
Deputy District Attorney Philippa Cunningham said residents called police because Lowe was outside their house, pointing a rifle at the residence and trying to break down their door. The residents reported Lowe was wearing body armor and pounding on his chest, Cunningham said.
Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Officers responded, along with SDPD helicopter ABLE, Cunningham said.
Lowe allegedly then fired on the helicopter, though the chopper was not struck by the gunfire and no one was injured in the incident, according to SDPD Lt. Andra Brown.
Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lowe was later arrested and police found several firearms, ammunition, gas masks, and bulletproof vests in his possession, Cunningham said.
Defense attorney Rafael Acosta disputed the prosecution's account, saying Lowe fired a round into the air, nowhere near where the helicopter was.
Acosta also said Lowe never pointed the rifle at the residents inside the home and asserted that Lowe suffers from an anxiety disorder, which was exacerbated by being recently laid off from his job, as well as the then- looming possibility of lockdowns related to the coronavirus outbreak.
While the prosecution requested Lowe be held without bail, Acosta argued he should be released on his own recognizance.
Acosta emphasized that Lowe has no prior criminal history, was cooperative with officers upon being arrested, and that police have seized all of his weapons.
San Diego County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser agreed that Lowe was entitled to bail, but said the "extraordinarily serious facts" alleged by prosecutors warranted setting bail at $1 million, as "public safety comes first."
Lowe is due back in court July 9 for a preliminary hearing.
—City News Service
