Two men accused of shooting at police helicopter during car chase

Two men, Jaylan Walter Jackson, 21, and Michael John Jackson, 44, faced court over a car chase on the Sunshine Coast where Jackson allegedly fired a gun at a police helicopter. Jaylan Jackson remains in custody while Michael Jackson is in hospital recovering from minor injuries. The Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard that Michael Jackson could not attend on Friday due to his medical condition and is due to return on Monday to face 15 charges.

Jaylan Jackson, from Hervey Bay, has been charged with 30 offences, including serious assault of a police officer, arson, and discharge of a weapon in a public place. Michael Jackson, from West Gladstone, has been charged with 15 offences, including serious assault of a police officer and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The alleged spree began on Wednesday when 12 firearms were stolen from a home on the Sunshine Coast.

The two men fled in a stolen ute, which was later found abandoned at Lake MacDonald in the Noosa hinterland. Police attempted to stop the vehicle at Nambour but the suspect fled, heading north towards Noosa while POLAIR and officers tracked him. Police allege that during the chase, Jackson fired at a police helicopter and at a police officer inside a police vehicle.

The police involved in the investigation showed bravery in resolving the incident despite the offender being armed.