San Diego Police helicopter
A San Diego Police helicopter. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

A gunman was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he was accused of shooting a rifle at a San Diego Police helicopter in Bird Rock, police reported Saturday.

At about 10:15 p.m. Friday, police received a call about a possible burglar in the 6300 block of Electric Avenue, said Lt. Andra Brown of the San Diego Police Department. Residents said a man armed with a gun was banging on their door and making rambling statements.

A police helicopter arrived in the area, Brown said. As it circled the area, David Lowe, 46, allegedly fired one round at the aircraft.

“Fearing for their safety, the pilot climbed to a higher altitude and broadcast his actions,” Brown said. Then a second round allegedly was fired at the copter.

Officers arrived on scene and arrested Lowe without incident, the lieutenant said.

“In addition to the rifle he used to shoot at (the police helicopter), officers recovered a shotgun, other firearms and several rounds of ammunition,” Brown said.

Lowe was booked into county jail on suspicion of two felony counts of attempted murder and three felony counts of assault with a firearm on a person, in addition to other charges, according to online jail records.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Homicide detectives are investigating the incident to try to determine Lowe’s motives, Brown said.

— City News Service

Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego.