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Men Plead Not Guilty in Laser, Gunfire Attack on Kentucky Police Helicopter

The case has been referred to the FBI for possible federal charges.

Overview

  • Authorities say a Kentucky State Police helicopter searching for a missing 11-year-old near Mayslick on Nov. 3 was hit by repeated laser strikes and targeted by gunfire.
  • The tactical flight officer was hospitalized with a possible eye injury attributed to the laser, according to police and court records.
  • Jason McKee, 49, and Donald Boone, 55, were arrested at a residence on US 62 and booked into the Mason County Detention Center.
  • McKee faces wanton endangerment counts, a charge tied to discharging a firearm, and laser/vision interference; Boone is charged with first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer.
  • Both men pleaded not guilty at arraignment, with bond set at $100,000 cash for McKee and $50,000 cash for Boone, and investigators say McKee told them he thought the aircraft was a drone and admitted firing a .380 handgun.