Medical helicopter shot at while landing at scene; nurse injured, suspect arrested
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A medical helicopter was shot at while landing at a medical call this morning.
The incident occurred around 4:20 A.M. on September 17, 2025, when Haynes LifeFlight was landing at an open pasture for a medical call nearby on County Road 51 in Autauga County.
The helicopter’s right side window was struck, and a ricochet of a bullet injured a flight nurse who was inside the helicopter.
The helicopter was eventually able to land safely.
Following an investigation from Autauga County deputies, and information from the helicopterms pilot, the suspect, 48-year-old Peter Ellison, was quickly apprehended without further incident by Sheriff’s Deputies and the firearm was recovered.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were contacted and have taken over the investigation.
Ellison was booked into the Autauga County Metro Jail for shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Ellison faces a $30,000 cash only bond and pending federal charges.
The Flight nurse was treated at the scene and the original call victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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