Can you legally shoot down a drone if it’s “bothering” you? For Dennis Winn, a 72-year-old Florida retiree, the answer has come with a $5,000 restitution order and criminal charges after he shot down a Walmart delivery drone hovering near his Lake County home.
The drone, part of Walmart’s mock delivery trial in collaboration with DroneUp, was flying at about 75 feet when it came under fire from Winn’s 9mm handgun. The former fire captain mistook the drone for a surveillance device targeting his property.
The incident, which occurred on June 26, began when Winn, cleaning his pool, heard a whirring noise. Suspecting surveillance, he retrieved his firearm, aimed, and fired one precise shot, striking the drone and rendering it inoperable. When confronted by law enforcement, Winn, initially unaware of the drone’s ownership, quipped, “I must be a good shot,” according to bodycam footage.
The drone, estimated to cost $10,000, was conducting mock deliveries in the neighborhood as part of Walmart’s efforts to expand its drone delivery services. According to DroneUp employees, the drone was operating at legal altitudes and was not capturing video of residential properties.
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Despite his suspicions, Winn did not report any prior drone-related concerns to law enforcement, opting instead to voice them to his homeowners’ association. His actions, however, led to charges of criminal mischief and discharging a firearm in public.
In a recent court agreement, Winn accepted a pretrial intervention program in exchange for the eventual dismissal of charges. As part of the deal, he agreed to pay $5,000 in restitution to Walmart, complete 25 hours of community service, and stay charge-free for six months. Winn’s attorney emphasized that the restitution was not an admission of guilt but rather an acknowledgment of responsibility for the damage.
Had Winn been convicted, he could have faced up to five years in prison for the felony charge and additional penalties for the misdemeanor.
Drone mystery in New Jersey
The Florida case comes amid a growing drone-related mystery in New Jersey, where unidentified drones have been spotted over Morris and Somerset counties. These sightings have disrupted activities like emergency airlifts and raised significant privacy concerns. Law enforcement, including the FBI, is investigating, but experts suggest many incidents involve misidentified manned aircraft.
In any case, Winn’s story serves as a reminder for all: shooting a drone is illegal in the United States. Under federal law, destroying an aircraft, including drones, can lead to fines of up to $250,000 and potential prison time of up to 20 years.
Read more: Florida man who shot down sheriff’s drone gets 4 years in prison
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