Shot Pilot Says Hunter Was 'Flipping Me Off & Pointing A Gun At Me'
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A man is facing criminal charges after allegedly firing at and striking the pilot of an ultralight aircraft in Adams County.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in in the area of 64th Avenue and Calhoun Byers Road, a rural area near Byers.
James Johnson was flying his ultralight checking on his crops and irrigation system. He told CBS4's Rick Sallinger a loud noise caught his attention.
"I thought I heard like a gun noise but I wasn't sure, and then I turned around and came back and then I (saw) a guy down there … flipping me off and pointing a gun at me," Johnson said.
He says he turned back and that was when he was struck with shotgun pellets.
"I felt the stinging in my leg and I kind of was freaked out and flew back home because I didn't know if I was going to make it or not," Johnson said.
After he landed Johnson said he got in his truck and drove to confront the hunter, who police have identified as Frank Urban. He said he wrestled with Urban over the gun. Johnson said he forced Urban to unload the weapon and then he called 911.
"He said I was flying in an active hunting zone … I think he was upset because I flew over him. I don't know why he was so angry," Johnson said.
He showed Sallinger his wounds -- shotgun pellets struck him in the leg and in the arm.
Deputies arrived and arrested Urban, who claimed they were dove hunting on private land with permission. He was released on bond after spending the night for investigation of charges of second-degree assault.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.
