By Fox23.com News Staff
WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — A man was arrested and accused of shooting at a Wagoner County Emergency Management drone during a search for a missing juvenile last month.
On April 13, Wagoner County Sheriff’s deputies and emergency management personnel responded to the area of South 353rd East Avenue and East 11th Street South in Wagoner County to search for a missing juvenile who was believed to be in danger.
During the search, deputies heard a gunshot near their location and it was later determined that the shot was directed toward a drone that emergency management personnel was using to help find the missing juvenile.
Deputies went to the home and made contact with the suspect, later identified as Drucel Hall, who authorities said admitted to firing a shotgun at the drone. According to the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office, Hall said he believed he had prior authorization to shoot at drones, but deputies advised him that shooting at an aircraft, including an unmanned aerial system, is a criminal offense.
Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliot shared the following statement:
“Our deputies and emergency management personnel were actively working to locate a missing juvenile believed to be in danger when this reckless act occurred. Firing at a drone that is clearly being used in an emergency response is not only dangerous, it’s a serious criminal offense. These tools are critical to helping us locate missing persons quickly and safely. Actions like this put lives at risk and will not be tolerated.”
