YouTuber is arrested over bizarre stunt where arsenal of fireworks was fired at $300,000 Lamborghini from flying helicopter – and now faces 10 years in prison
A popular YouTuber is facing federal charges over a filmed stunt in which two women shot fireworks at a Lamborghini from a helicopter.
Suk Min Choi, better known as Alex Choi, faces ten years in prison as a result, after filming the “crazy stupid” stunt for his nearly one million subscribers.
The end product was a high-budget display that looked like something out of a Michael Bay movie, set to the backdrop of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.”
The 24-year-old was seen handcuffed in California on Wednesday, US prosecutors said, adding that the FAA had also revoked the helicopter pilot’s license because he had flown below the altitudes required by law and the ‘N’ number of the helicopter had not shown.
He also created a danger to persons or property by “operating the helicopter in a manner that was careless or reckless and thus endangered the life or property of another person,” according to the complaint.
Choi filmed the Fourth of July stunt last year in the Mojave Desert. He appeared in LA Superior Court on Thursday but has yet to be charged.
Suk Min Choi, better known as Alex Choi, is facing federal charges over a filmed stunt in which two women shot fireworks at a Lamborghini from a helicopter
The Michael Bay-esque scene was filmed over El Mirage Lake in the Mojave Desert in what the FBI said was June, to ring in the Fourth of July
“Suk Min Choi, 24, a.k.a. “Alex Choi,” of Studio City, is charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. said.
“He was arrested on Wednesday and his arraignment is expected in the coming weeks.
“According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on July 4, 2023, Choi posted a video on his YouTube channel titled, “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks.”
‘In the video, Choi allegedly presses a ‘fire rocket’ button as two women in a helicopter shoot fireworks at a speeding Lamborghini sports car.
“Police believe the video was recorded on the dry soil of El Mirage in San Bernardino County.”
The statement further describes how investigators discovered that Choi was the one who filmed the footage, which was posted on YouTube but recently deleted.
After the dangerous light show, the video transitions to a behind-the-scenes look at how Choi shot the first third of the clip, in which the YouTuber reportedly made several references to himself coordinating the shoot.
In particular, the video notes that Choi directed the film, the FBI said, before pointing out a clip in which Choi thanks a camera company for “being part of my crazy stupid ideas.”
The FAA revoked the helicopter pilot’s license because he flew below the altitudes required by law and failed to display the helicopter’s “N” number, the FBI said. The photo shows one of the female participants in the stunt
The end product was a high-budget display that looked like something out of a Michael Bay movie, set to the scene of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.”
The 11-minute video, which remained up for months, has since been removed from Choi’s YouTube page
Titled ‘Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks’ it shows the helicopter flying close to the ground without filming permits as two women set off the explosives at the $300,000 sports car
The FBI stated its belief that Choi committed the offense sometime in June 2023, during which he “did not have a permit to film a fireworks shooting in a helicopter.”
They also wrote that he bought the fireworks in Nevada before bringing them across the state line because they were illegal in California
During this part of the video, Choi – known for online car-related stunts – also reportedly said that he made a mistake at some point during the production process, ‘because [he] I forgot to tell my friend how to use a flashlight.”
Finally, the statement — along with an accompanying statement — noted how Choi appears to make the decision to end filming during the video.
‘[W]When someone asked if they wanted to film again, [Choi said]“No, that’s it. We’re out of fireworks, right?” the FBI wrote.
In other parts of the video, Choi is seen standing next to the helicopter, holding what appears to be a firework in his hands.
The FBI added that they believed Choi committed the offense sometime in June 2023, when he “did not have a permit to film a fireworks shooting in a helicopter.”
They also wrote that he bought the fireworks in Nevada before bringing them across the state line because they were illegal in California.
The 11-minute video, which remained up for months, has since been removed from Choi’s YouTube page.
Titled ‘Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks’, it shows the helicopter flying close to the ground without filming permits as two women shoot the explosives into the $300,000 sports car.
He is charged with “causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device in an aircraft.” His arraignment will take place in a few weeks. No date was given
If convicted, Choi promises viewers on his YouTube channel “the biggest car shenanigans!” – could face up to ten years in prison.
He accused him of “causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is prosecuting this case.
Choi was scheduled to make his first appearance in a Los Angeles court on Thursday, with his arraignment expected in the coming weeks.