Oklahoma man charged after shooting at emergency drone during search for missing child
WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. (KOKH)— A Coweta man has been charged after authorities say he fired a shotgun at a Wagoner County Emergency Management drone that was getting used to assist search for a missing juvenile believed to be in peril.
Deputies with the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and Wagoner County Emergency Management personnel responded April 13 to the 10700 block of South 353rd East Avenue to search for the missing juvenile.
During the search, deputies reported listening to a gunshot southwest of their location as Emergency Management personnel actively operated a drone to help within the search.
Witnesses, together with deputies and Emergency Management employees, mentioned the shot was directed towards the drone. The drone operator recognized the shot’s origin as a residence within the 36100 block of E. 111th Street South in Coweta.
“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.,” mentioned Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott.
Deputies went to the residence and made contact with the suspect.
Investigators mentioned the suspect admitted firing a shotgun at the drone and advised deputies he believed he had prior authorization to shoot at drones. Deputies suggested him that discharging a firearm at an plane, together with an unmanned aerial system, is a severe legal offense.
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Authorities say Drucel Hall was arrested and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.
