Frankly, I didn't buy into their story. My thoughts were on Insurance Fraud. Then I learned "Who" they were. The last thing anyone of them needed was money. Highly wealthy. Then my thoughts went towards a Marijuana Grow. Neither panned out.
The media saw the report and reported it. After more than a year of investigations, even some undercover in local bars and elsewhere, nothing surfaced. If it helps cannonball, the canyons were narrow yet did extend more miles/distance than we (LE) could grasp. I didn't mention specific details mostly because if a Fact surfaces, the case will reopen. But I will mention something that became open to the public and not known to me initially. Such is that the "Areas" were Public and Private and a prized Hunting area for those who had access.
I find more than one, hard to believe fact. Both unheard of to me. First, Hitting any aircraft flying is more than difficult (Baring the Red Baron in WWI). To have many Bullet holes is more unbelievable yet, I was standing their looking at them. Here is even a more difficult fact: It was "Their" 2nd time and second aircraft in the same areas that had been shot-up. They never mentioned to me, this part. Also, they had Rifles and it's been my feelings (Hunch) that after the first shootings, they may have returned, loaded and flying low. Then shot back. Lord only knows what truly happened. Either 1+ was kicked out of a Hunting Club/Group or they were messing with the wrong group of strangers (Hunters) who did not approve of flyovers....?
It's not, by far, the craziest call I went to. I toss things like this into the back of my memory but when I saw the post subject, it all came back. I've seen vehicles pushed off hillsides by ...?... while the vehicle owner hiked into private lands. Seen vehicles shot-up under same parameters, and more. I made the post not to convince anyone of an unsolved case but rather, to just mention some folks are very possessive of their Hunting areas. Or we have Nut-Jobs out there..?