Fireworks fired from helicopter at Lamborghini lead to arrest of YouTubers

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A San Fernando Valley YouTuber specializing in “car shenanigans” faces federal charges after authorities say he made a video in which two people in a helicopter launched fireworks on a Lamborghini at high speed from above.

Federal prosecutors announced Thursday the opening of charges against Suk Min Choi, 24, known as “Alex Choi,” of Studio City. Choi is charged with one count of placing an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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Choi was arrested Wednesday and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In his first appearance Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles federal court, Choi was released on $50,000 bail. His appearance was scheduled for July 2.

Choi did not immediately return emails and Instagram messages seeking comment. Neither does his talent agency.

Prosecutors say Choi posted a video last July, made without a filming permit, titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks.” The video has since been deleted, but authorities said it showed Choi pressing a “fire missiles” button while two women aboard a helicopter shot fireworks at the sports car as it crossed federal land in the bed of the dry lake of El Mirage, in San Bernardino County.

Another video of the event, also on YouTube, appears to show someone in the Lambo fireworks display in the air as the helicopter rains pyrotechnics down on the car.

After filming what appears to be a live-action version of a scene from a fictional video game, the clip cuts to a behind-the-scenes look at how Choi shot the first third of the stunt. During this portion of the video, Choi allegedly made various references to himself coordinating the filming.

In the video, Choi thanks a camera company for “participating in my crazy, stupid ideas.” He also allegedly said in the video that the group that helped make the video made a mistake at one point “because I forgot to tell my friend how to use a torch,” according to court filings. federal court in Los Angeles.

Eventually, as noted in the affidavit, during the video, it appears Choi made the decision to end filming when someone asked him if he was going to film again, stating, “No, it's We don't have any more fireworks, do we?”

In other parts of the video, Choi is seen next to the helicopter, holding what appears to be fireworks, according to the affidavit.

Law enforcement believes Choi committed the offense in June 2023, did not have a permit to film a shoot using fireworks on a helicopter, and purchased the fireworks fireworks in Nevada because they were illegal in California, according to the U.S. attorney. Desk.

A 23-page indictment details the investigation in minute detail. According to prosecutors, Choi avoided a lengthy FAA permitting process that would have required safety measures and plans for the dangerous stunt.

Choi, who has more than a million followers on Instagram and almost as many subscribers on YouTube, entertains his audience with what he calls “the greatest car shenanigans.” His other stunts include filming his passengers while he accelerates rapidly and driving a Lamborghini through a gas station car wash.

City News Service, Associated Press and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.