First time warning shots are fired from an aircraft

"For first time, helicopter fires on suspected smuggling boat"

By: Tony Perry

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln--panga-helo-20150119-story.html

A panga boat believed to be smuggling bales of marijuana just off the coast of Santa Catalina Island was fired upon by a Customs and Border Protection Blackhawk helicopter. The boat was initially spotted by a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft just 24 miles off the La Jolla coast. Shortly thereafter the boat was being pursued by both Coast Guard and Custom and Border Protection aircraft and interceptor boats. Around 11 P.M. a Customs and Border Protection helicopter arrived on the scene and flew close to the panga boat. Law enforcement agents repeatedly asked the panga boat to stop, but to no avail. Finally the Blackhawk helicopter fired warning shots across the bow of the boat, stopping the boat. This incident marks the first time warning shots have been fired from an aircraft. Three men were arrested and transferred to Border Patrol. The panga boat was also seized by officials. 

This is a somewhat important event because it marks the very first time warning shots have been fired from an aircraft in an attempt to stop suspects. The Customs and Border Protection Blackhawk helicopter managed to stop the boat in a safe manner in which no one was hurt. The boat refused to stop after repeated requests and law enforcement individuals handled it well.