Pilot accused of shooting up helicopter at remote B.C. mining camp

DEAS LAKE, B.C. – The RCMP say a 37-year-old man is expected to appear in a B.C. court in August facing accusations of shooting up a helicopter at a remote mining camp.

Police say the incident took place July 12 in the Klappan Mountain area, which is about 100 kilometres southeast of Deas Lake, B.C.

Police say the Ontario resident was armed with a shotgun and safety flares and rode an ATV up and down the camp airstrip.

They say witnesses indicated he fired the weapon several times at the helicopter and tried to set it on fire.

Police are describing the incident as a “severe emotional breakdown.”

They say the suspect was disarmed by people at the camp before his arrest and is expected to appear in a Deas Lake court Aug. 27 on a charge of mischief.

“We are certainly thankful that no one was injured during this incident and thankful that others at the camp had the mindfulness to seize an opportunity and safely disarm the man,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk in a media release.