Drone Wars

[smstonypoint]

William Meredith drew his shotgun and took out a Phantom 3 drone after spotting it above his home in Hillview, Kentucky, this summer landing him in jail and prompting legal proceedings.



Mr Meredith was charged with criminal mischief and wanton endangerment for destroying the $900 drone in July but this week had both of them thrown out by a judge.

Victory for Kentucky 'Drone Slayer' who took out aircraft over his home with a SHOTGUN | Daily Mail Online

 

[davesl708]

Obviously the drone was low enough and close enough for a shotgun to hit it. The guy was way outside his property flying that thing for the purpose of looking in other peoples property. Good call by the judge.

 

[lmalcomb]

Exactly !

 

[coobie]

Great call by the judge.

 

[texasjohn]

I've shot down some REALLY high flying white wing doves....amazing how far #7.5 shot will carry!
Am amazed he didn't get charged with reckless discharge of a fire arm.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm going to have to side with the drone owner for now. It is disturbing that the judge did not allow the drone video or flight data into evidence and did not even bother to look at it. I also find it hard to believe the drone was being flown at 10ft altitude. The operator would have lost line of sight and likely control. Additionally, looking at the aerial map, if the drone was shot at such a low altitude I doubt it would have travelled as far as it did from the shooter's property to the crash site unless it was truly 100ft or more in the air.

So, if a helicopter flies close enough to your property and you can reach them with a shotgun that is okay? Or a hot air balloon, or hang glider that is off course? By the judge's opinion, it is open for argument.

Pretty tight spacing of homes in that neighborhood. If he was firing a shotgun he is endangering the lives of his neighbors... no? Does privacy trump endangerment of others? I hope he doesn't pick off his neighbor looking over his fence! I remember when i posted on TBN a question if folks ever fired a celebration shot on New Year's... with no mention of the surroundings, environment, etc. and it stirred up all kinds of complaints about safety. Where are the safety police here?

The judge did a horrible job IMHO! At least look at the evidence from both sides.

 

[Wagtail]

Am amazed he didn't get charged with reckless discharge of a fire arm.

He hit what he was aiming at... more like wreckfull discharge of a firearm.

Amirite!


[Thank you, thank you... I'm here all week... try the veal!]
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[helLO, is this thing on?!?]

 

[MossRoad]

I'm going to have to side with the drone owner for now. It is disturbing that the judge did not allow the drone video or flight data into evidence and did not even bother to look at it. I also find it hard to believe the drone was being flown at 10ft altitude. The operator would have lost line of sight and likely control. Additionally, looking at the aerial map, if the drone was shot at such a low altitude I doubt it would have travelled as far as it did from the shooter's property to the crash site unless it was truly 100ft or more in the air.

So, if a helicopter flies close enough to your property and you can reach them with a shotgun that is okay? Or a hot air balloon, or hang glider that is off course? By the judge's opinion, it is open for argument.

Pretty tight spacing of homes in that neighborhood. If he was firing a shotgun he is endangering the lives of his neighbors... no? Does privacy trump endangerment of others? I hope he doesn't pick off his neighbor looking over his fence! I remember when i posted on TBN a question if folks ever fired a celebration shot on New Year's... with no mention of the surroundings, environment, etc. and it stirred up all kinds of complaints about safety. Where are the safety police here?

The judge did a horrible job IMHO! At least look at the evidence from both sides.

I'm in agreement with you, too.

The drone had a camera on it that would show just what it was doing and the judge doesn't want to see it? Something's fishy. That's like not wanting to see the security tapes of a 7-11 crime (I was on a jury with that once! :laughing.

 

[MossRoad]

Plus discharging a shotgun in a housing development where the lot looks to be maaaaybe 60' x 120' has got to be considered reckless.

 

[MossRoad]

Anyhow, he should have used a soccer ball.... much safer!

 

[cqaigy2]

Nice shot!

 

[Grateful11]

We have blimps flying within shotgun reach over the farm a couple times a year. I bet I know what would happen if someone shot one down.

 

[dragoneggs]

Shoot the googlemobile when it drives by digital filming your place too.

Cap?n Bob & the Damsel » Google-Mobile Spotted in SoCal