Caught on camera: Sheriff’s Office drone records suspect shooting at it

What started as a search for a bear in a south Florida county ended in an arrest Saturday when a man allegedly fired multiple rounds from a BB gun at the drone deployed to assist.

Big picture view:

The entire incident was caught on camera by the very drone being targeted and released by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), along with footage of the suspect’s arrest. As the Sheriff’s Office noted in its statement, firing a weapon at an aircraft, including drones, is a federal crime.

What the drone saw

The Drone First Responder was deployed in the search for a bear in Lee County, Florida, when the operator spotted a group of men who appeared to be shooting a firearm into a wooded area, the Sheriff’s Office explained. The footage released shows one of the men pointing what was determined to be a BB gun at the drone and firing at least twice.

Since the drone was recording the whole incident, deputies had access to real-time evidence and were able to translate that into a quick arrest, the Sheriff’s Office added.

What they're saying:

"The DFR program is a valuable asset that can get eyes to a scene within minutes, often before deputies arrive," the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. "The real-time information improves officer safety by allowing them to prepare before arrival." 

Dig deeper:

The Sheriff’s Office pointed out that its drones are clearly marked with an LCSO insignia and have red and blue lights that are active anytime the drone is flying. 

LCSO also assured the community that there are strict policies as well as state and federal regulations in place for how drones are used, and that they are not used for random surveillance of people in the community.

 

U.S.