Flightradar24 tracks object HBAL617 at altitude 62k over Carolinas but states "Sorry, this is not a Chinese Balloon"
CNN reports balloon passing over Carolinas at 60k and for citizens to not take "potshots" 34 min ago North Carolina police department urges residents to not take potshots at suspected spy balloon The Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina is asking residents not to call the police if they see the suspected spy balloon – and to refrain from taking potshots at it. “If the now infamous Chinese ‘weather balloon’ makes its way over Gastonia, please don’t call the police to report it,” the department wrote on Facebook. Police also reminded residents that they, “don’t have the capability to respond to an altitude of 60k feet to check it out,” and "we are pretty sure the Feds would want us to stay out of it.” The department ended the post by urging residents to “please don’t take pot shots at it with your handguns in an attempt to bring it down on your own.” Gastonia is a city of more than 80,000 people, about 20 miles west of Charlotte. Some context: The US has been tracking the suspected Chinese spy balloon, which was first spotted in Montana and is believed to be moving eastward. CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray said Friday evening that based on the wind direction, it could end up over the Carolinas or Virginia in the next 24 hours.
