An early-morning alarm call in Elyria turned surreal Friday when police say a man opened fire on their drone during a shooting investigation. Around 4:30 a.m., officers checking an alarm in the Delaware Avenue area reported hearing multiple gunshots. As additional units rushed in, they counted at least 20 more rounds echoing through the neighborhood. When an aerial search zeroed in on a person in a backyard, police say the suspect fired at the unmanned aircraft before briefly slipping away on foot.
How the police say the search unfolded
Elyria police say they then launched a focused, drone-assisted sweep and found a man hiding in a backyard. The department later identified him as Da’Vaun J. Grant, 27, of Elyria. Detectives say Grant admitted to the shooting, and investigators recovered a firearm during the probe. Grant is being held at the Lorain County Jail, according to Cleveland 19 News.
Drones in local policing
Across Northeast Ohio, police departments have increasingly leaned on drones for fast overhead views and to help track suspects during chaotic calls. Westlake, for example, recently signed a multiyear Axon contract that includes a drone program, a move detailed in coverage of Westlake's new drone program. State officials have also rolled out a Drone-as-First-Responder pilot, testing rapid-launch systems with several agencies this year, per reporting from HometownStations.
Legal implications
Federal authorities treat unmanned aircraft as actual aircraft, and deliberately damaging or destroying one can bring serious federal charges under laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 32, legal analysts note. In other words, taking shots at a drone is not just bad aim, it can be a very bad legal move. The FAA, for its part, tells the public to call local law enforcement if a drone is being operated dangerously, rather than trying to disable it or shoot it down, according to LegalClarity and FAA guidance.
What police say is next
Elyria officials say the investigation is still active, with detectives working through witness statements and physical evidence from the scene. Police have not yet released details on any formal charges. Grant remains in custody at the Lorain County Jail, according to Cleveland 19 News.
