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Judge Rejects Byers’ Release Request, Sentences Him to 12 Years

8/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Judge Mildred Escobedo sentenced Douglass Byers to 12 years, rejecting a 41-year release request.
Byers was convicted of firing an AR-15 rifle at an LAPD helicopter in August 2025, hitting its tail.
Police recovered the rifle and 18 casings, linking them to the weapon that struck the helicopter.
He bought the gun, smuggled it, and fired it, leading a jury to convict him of assaulting an officer and firearm possession.

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Story summary

Judge Mildred Escobedo sentenced Douglass Byers to 12 years, rejecting a 41-year release request.
Byers was convicted of firing an AR-15 rifle at an LAPD helicopter in August 2025, hitting its tail.
Police recovered the rifle and 18 casings, linking them to the weapon that struck the helicopter.
He bought the gun, smuggled it, and fired it, leading a jury to convict him of assaulting an officer and firearm possession.