A search for a missing juvenile in Wagoner County took a bizarre turn on April 13 when, according to investigators, a Coweta man opened fire on an emergency drone helping with the operation. Deputies identified the suspect as Drucel Hall, who was booked on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.
Shot Fired At Search Drone, Deputies Say
Deputies with the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and Wagoner County Emergency Management had responded to the 10700 block of South 353rd East Avenue on April 13 to look for the missing juvenile. During the search, witnesses reported hearing a gunshot fired toward the drone. The operator traced the shot to a home in the 36100 block of East 111th Street South in Coweta, according to KTUL. Investigators say Hall admitted firing a shotgun when deputies made contact with him.
Sheriff: Shooting At Emergency Drone 'Puts Lives At Risk'
"Firing at a drone that is clearly being used in an emergency response is not only dangerous, it’s a serious criminal offense," Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott said, as reported by KTUL. He emphasized that these devices are critical tools for locating missing people quickly and said that taking shots at them endangers both first responders and the public.
Federal Law Treats Drones As Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration classifies unmanned aircraft as aircraft and warns that shooting at any aircraft, including a drone, is illegal and can lead to civil penalties or criminal charges. At the federal level, 18 U.S.C. § 32 criminalizes damaging or destroying aircraft and carries potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Code. That legal backdrop means the local reckless discharge case could be supplemented by state or federal action, depending on how the investigation unfolds.
Case Status And What Comes Next
Investigators said Hall told deputies he believed he had prior authorization to shoot at drones. Deputies responded that discharging a firearm at an aircraft is a serious criminal offense. Hall was arrested and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, and officials have not yet said whether the case will be referred for federal review.
