A man from California now faces up to 20 years in federal prison after an angry birthday shooting escalated into gunfire at a police helicopter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced the guilty plea recently. Authorities identified the man as 40-year-old Justin Derek Jennings of Laguna Niguel. He admitted to shooting at an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter.
According to investigators, Jennings became enraged after drinking during his birthday celebration. After the party ended in conflict, his family left the home. They contacted police when Jennings began acting violently. Soon after, Jennings grabbed a rifle from his gun safe and emptied an entire magazine inside the house. His family had already exited, avoiding injury. Meanwhile, deputies and a police helicopter arrived at the scene.
Jennings climbed to the second floor of the home. From there, he began shooting into the air. He aimed at the helicopter whenever it came into view. He fired off several rounds over a period of 20 minutes. Eventually, Jennings agreed to speak with authorities. He then surrendered without further resistance.Law enforcement searched the residence after the arrest. They discovered two revolvers, two rifles, and two handguns.
They also found scattered bullet casings throughout the home. Police seized multiple rounds of ammunition, two magazines, and a box of bullets sitting on a couch under the window where Jennings fired. The angry birthday shooting shocked the quiet community in Laguna Niguel. Investigators from both the FBI and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department led the case.
Initially, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed charges. Later, they dismissed the case so that the federal prosecution could continue. Jennings remains in custody as he awaits sentencing. He is scheduled to return to court in the near future.This angry birthday shooting could now cost Jennings two decades behind bars.
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