Drone captures shooter before being shot down itself

Caught in the act! The drone captured footage of a 33-year-old man as he pointed a rifle to the drone, just before it crashed to the ground, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said. The man from White City, OR faces accusations he shot down a $1,000 unmanned aerial vehicle Tuesday evening, reported KVAL. The shooting of the drone happened around 5:35 p.m. at the Hoover Ponds recreation area near White City.

Shooter turns himself in

The drone pilot had reported that his drone had been shot down and posted photos of the incident on Facebook. The drone images show the shooter standing next to his grey 1994 Isuzu Trooper, seemingly pointing a rifle at the drone. Police officials were able to determine that the drone was shot with a high-velocity air rifle using .177 caliber pellet ammunition.

After finding out about the investigation online, Christopher David Grindstaff of Central Point turned himself in to deputies on Wednesday. He was jailed on one count of criminal mischief in the first degree (a Class C felony). The case was forwarded to both the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration, by the sheriff’s office.