Orr, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A northern St. Louis County man is facing felony charges after a firefighting plane was struck by a bullet near Kjostad Lake.
Daniel Christian Pettit, 48, of Portage Township, was charged on Wednesday, May 20. He faces second-degree assault and intentional discharge of a firearm.
The charges stem from a May 15 incident near the Buyck area. Two aircraft were helping fight a wildfire at the time.
According to the criminal complaint, the pilot heard a “pop” sound shortly before 8 p.m. The aircraft was scooping water from Kjostad Lake.
The pilot first thought the sound may have been a bird strike. Damage was later found after the plane landed at the Hibbing airport.
Aircraft Damaged During Wildfire Response
The complaint says the Air Tractor had damage to its rudder and rear wing trim tab.
An investigator later found a round hole in the rudder. The damage appeared to show a projectile had entered from below.
Authorities said the damage did not appear to come from a bird or a natural object.
The two planes had taken off shortly before 5 p.m. They were hired to help with wildland fire suppression.
The aircraft made 37 passes over Kjostad Lake to scoop water. The pilot reported the damage happened on the 35th pass.
Daniel Christian Pettit
Suspect Reportedly Claimed He Was Crow Hunting
Investigators said Pettit later told them he had been crow hunting.
He reportedly said he was using a 12-gauge shotgun and buckshot between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Pettit allegedly said he believed shooting upward was safe. He also claimed he did not aim at the aircraft.
According to the complaint, Pettit said it was possible he caused the damage while hunting.
He also reportedly said he had video of a plane flying over his home. He claimed the aircraft came within 40 feet of his roof.
Federal rules address minimum safe altitudes for aircraft. More information is available through 14 CFR § 91.119.
Neighbors Reported Hearing Gunfire
Several nearby residents reported hearing gunshots while the planes were flying.
One couple said the shots occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. They said the shooting seemed to happen when planes were over the lake.
Another resident reported hearing loud bangs as the aircraft passed nearby.
Authorities later went to Pettit’s home on Orr Buyck Road. The home is about 11 miles east of Orr.
He was taken into custody and interviewed at the Hibbing jail.
Bail Set In St. Louis County Case
Assistant St. Louis County Attorney Chris Florey asked for $200,000 unconditional bail.
Florey said the alleged conduct raised serious public safety concerns. He also cited risks if firefighters continued battling wildfires.
Public defender Levi Hinton asked for lower bail and intensive pretrial release.
Judge Robert Friday set unconditional bail at $150,000. Pettit may be released with supervision after posting $75,000.
That release would include electronic monitoring and other court conditions.
Court records may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Information about the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is available on the county’s official website.
Pettit is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.