In Clermont, Florida, a 72-year-old man named Dennis Winn was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly shooting down a Walmart delivery drone. The incident occurred at 1450 Johns Lake Road when Walmart’s drone delivery crew, conducting mock deliveries to promote their service, heard a gunshot-like noise as the drone descended in a cul-de-sac.
One of the crew members witnessed Winn aiming a gun towards the sky and the descending drone from the side of his home. The crew immediately returned to Walmart and discovered $2,500 worth of damage to the drone’s payload system.
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Deputies later visited Winn’s residence where he admitted to shooting at the drone out of suspicion that it was monitoring him. He cited previous experiences with drones flying over his property as contributing to his actions.
Winn was subsequently charged with shooting at an aircraft, criminal mischief causing damage over $1,000, and discharging a firearm on public or residential property. He is currently in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The incident highlights the legal and safety concerns surrounding drone operations, particularly in residential areas, and underscores the potential consequences of unauthorized actions against drone technology.
