A 48-year-old Orr man has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, second-degree assault and felony criminal damage to property after a fire suppression aircraft was struck by a bullet while fighting a wildland fire in St. Louis County on Friday.
Daniel Christian Pettit was arrested at his residence in Portage Township on the evening of May 17, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said.
Pettit is being held at the St. Louis County Jail as of publication.
St. Louis County deputies and several state, local and federal firefighting resources responded to a wildland fire in Portage Township around 4 p.m. on May 15, the Sheriff’s Office said. Portage Township is about 15 miles north of Orr.
PREVIOUSLY: Firefighting Plane Struck by Bullet During Wildfire Response
Two single-engine Air Tractor fire suppression aircraft operating under contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were dispatched to the fire. Ground and air resources worked the fire for several hours.
When the aircraft returned to the Hibbing Airport, crews discovered one of them appeared to have been struck by a bullet, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators believe the aircraft was struck after scooping water from Kjostad Lake around 7 p.m. The plane landed safely and the pilot was not injured.
Investigators developed Pettit as a suspect and took him into custody on May 17. A search warrant was executed at his residence on the 3500 block of the Orr Buyck Road in Portage Township. Several firearms and ammunition were seized during the search.
Investigators do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public. The Sheriff’s Office said interfering with firefighting aircraft places pilots, firefighters and the public at significant risk.
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the FAA, FBI, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, Duluth Police Department and Superior Police Department.
