A Florida man has been arrested and charged after allegedly shooting down a Walmart delivery drone. The incident occurred in Clermont, a city approximately 25 miles west of Orlando.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Dennis Winn, a 72-year-old resident, admitted to firing at a Walmart drone with a 9mm pistol last week. The Sheriff’s Office detailed the incident in a Facebook post, noting that deputies were alerted to the situation after receiving a complaint about a damaged drone.
Witness Accounts and Arrest Details
Witnesses in the Overlook at Lake Louisa neighborhood, where the incident took place, pointed authorities to Winn’s residence. According to the arrest affidavit, a two-man crew from DroneUp, a company collaborating with Walmart on drone deliveries, was operating the drone when the shooting occurred. The drone was performing a proof-of-concept mock delivery and had descended to approximately 75 feet when one of the crew members heard what they believed to be a gunshot.
“The drone returned to Walmart, where the crew discovered a bullet hole in its payload system,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. The damage was estimated at $2,500, and the drone was rendered inoperable, impacting business operations.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy, who responded to the scene, recounted Winn’s reaction upon learning about the charges. the deputy stated in Winn’s arrest affidavit.
When deputies arrived at Winn’s residence, he reportedly admitted to shooting the drone. “I fired one round at it,” Winn told officers in police bodycam footage. “They say I hit it, so I must be a good shot, or else it’s not that far away.” He also expressed disbelief upon learning it was a Walmart drone he had struck. Winn’s arrest affidavit stated “The defendant looked in disbelief and questioned, ‘Really?'”
Criminal Charges and Federal Implications
Winn faces multiple charges, including shooting at an aircraft, criminal mischief with damage over $1,000, and discharging a firearm in public or on residential property. Both the Shooting At An Aircraft and Criminal Mischief charges are felonies. He was taken into custody and later released on a $13,500 bond.
Shooting at drones is not just a state offense but a federal crime. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies the act of shooting at any aircraft, including drones, as a felony. The FAA’s regulations, in place since 2016, impose severe penalties for such actions, including fines and up to 20 years in prison. The agency emphasizes that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are treated with the same seriousness as manned aircraft when it comes to safety and security.
According to the FAA’s report on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, shooting down a drone is a federal crime under United States Code Title 18 Section 32, which describes the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities as a felony. Violators can face fines and imprisonment up to 20 years.
Despite these regulations, incidents of gun owners targeting drones have persisted. In recent years, similar incidents have occurred in North Carolina, Florida, and California, some involving law enforcement drones. These episodes highlight the ongoing tension between advancing drone technology and public perception.
Retailers’ Challenges with Drone Deliveries
Retailers like Walmart have faced numerous technological, regulatory, and commercial hurdles in deploying drone delivery services. Walmart, which began its drone delivery program in 2021, has conducted over 20,000 safe deliveries in select markets, including Texas, Arizona, and Florida. The company aims to have the “largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer,” according to its website.
DroneUp, the company working with Walmart, also partners with fast food chains like Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s, as well as health clinics, to provide delivery services. This year, Walmart expanded its partnerships to include on-demand drone delivery companies Wing and Zipline.
Despite these advancements, the issue of drones being targeted by gun owners remains a significant concern.
Community Reactions
The local community in Clermont has had mixed reactions to the drone deliveries. While some residents appreciate the convenience and efficiency, others, like Winn, view the drones with suspicion. Winn’s belief that the drone was surveilling him reflects a broader mistrust some individuals have towards UAVs.
Moving Forward
As retailers continue to innovate and expand their use of drones for deliveries, they must also navigate the complexities of public acceptance and legal compliance. The FAA and local law enforcement agencies will likely increase efforts to educate the public about the legal ramifications of interfering with drone operations. For Winn, the legal consequences could be severe.
