California YouTuber Destroyed Lamborghini with Fireworks on a Helicopter; Authorities Sprang in Action after Video Went Viral
A helicopter soars above a barren landscape, while a sleek blue Lamborghini races through the scene, creating a thrilling chase reminiscent of an action-packed movie.
The vehicle spins in circles on the sand, throwing up dirt in a hazy path, skillfully dodging the fiery beams aimed its way. Two women aboard the helicopter enthusiastically set off fireworks towards the car, creating a dazzling display of sparks that illuminates the sky.
A man named Suk Min Choi, 24, also known as Alex Choi of Studio City, Calif., was arrested on Wednesday for recording a YouTube video. The video involved a stunt of flying near the ground without filming permits. The video was recorded in San Bernardino County, California, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California. The video was made last year.
According to federal prosecutors, Mr. Choi has been charged with a serious offense related to the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
With an impressive following of 924,000 on YouTube and 1.2 million on Instagram, Mr. Choi captivates his audience with a stunning display of luxury sports cars. According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, he uploaded a video to his YouTube channel on July 4, 2023. The video, which lasted just over 10 minutes, showcased the act of destroying a Lamborghini with fireworks.
The clip has been removed from Mr. Choi’s social media pages as per NYTimes.
According to investigators, the video was filmed on El Mirage Dry Lake, a recreational area located on federal land in San Bernardino County.
“Following the filming of a scene that resembles a live-action adaptation of a video game, the video then provides a glimpse behind the scenes, showcasing Choi’s process for shooting the initial portion,” stated the U.S. attorney’s office.
According to prosecutors, in that part of the video, Mr. Choi supposedly mentioned his involvement in coordinating the shoot.
A video clip, connected to a report on the website Court Watch, depicted the women firing shots at a Lamborghini while Miley Cyrus’s song “Party in the U.S.A.” played in the background.
Prosecutors reported that Mr. Choi expressed gratitude towards a camera company in the recording, acknowledging their involvement in his unconventional and daring concepts.
During the video, it seemed that Mr. Choi made the decision to halt the action scenes once he ran out of the eye-catching explosives. When questioned about the possibility of filming again, the individual firmly stated, “No, that’s the end of it.” Are we completely out of fireworks? As per the U.S. attorney’s office.
Additionally, in different sections of the video, Mr. Choi can be observed standing beside the helicopter, holding an object that seemed to resemble a firework, as stated in the affidavit.
According to authorities, Mr. Choi allegedly filmed the video in June 2023 without the necessary permit for using fireworks on a helicopter.
According to prosecutors, he bought the fireworks from Nevada since they were prohibited in California. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office, the investigation is still ongoing and no other individuals have been charged or arrested in connection to the video.
Mr. Choi appeared in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Thursday. The spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office confirmed that he was released on a $50,000 bond. Mr. Choi’s arraignment is set for July 2. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to probation or up to 10 years in federal prison.
