The city of Markham has filed a lawsuit against a park district executive director who authorized the landing for her daughter's prom photos.
Markham police body camera video shows the helicopter landing in a field across from a basketball court where children were playing at the time.
According to a lawsuit filed by the city of Markham, Quintina Brown, the executive director of the Markham Park District, authorized a helicopter to land on the field of Roesner Park to be a backdrop for her daughter to take photos for prom on the evening of May 8.
That's in a residential area near 159th Street and Richmond Avenue.
Police said they noticed the helicopter flying really low over the area.
Officials said Brown's 17-year-old daughter was onboard.
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The lawsuit from the city claims Brown created the contract with the helicopter company under the Markham Park District. It's unclear if the park district funds were used to pay for the helicopter, but the Markham city attorney says the city's zoning ordinance prohibits this kind of situation, especially when proper security was not in place.
The chopper's pilot said Brown paid his company, Summers Chicago Helicopter, $800 for a prom shoot and short tour.
According to court documents, the contract shows the park district as the client and the payee.
"Could have been a catastrophe because children were playing. They were, and it's in the police report. And they ran from the basketball court that they were playing on when this helicopter started coming down," Markham City Attorney Burt Odelson said. "You can't hire a helicopter for your kid and for prom. As nice as it is, you just can't do that."
Officials said the only written authorization for landing was an April 13 letter signed by Brown giving her teen approval to have the helicopter shoot.
The city is filing an injunction against the park district so this does not happen again.
City officials say the stunt violates Markham's zoning ordinances and park regulations.
Markham police eventually shut everything down.
Both Brown and the helicopter's pilot were cited by police for disorderly conduct and unauthorized landing on public property.
Brown said she is not in the office Wednesday due to her daughter's graduation and would not be available for an interview.
There will be a status hearing for this case next Tuesday.