Did this 71 year old man deserve being arrested/charged with a felony?

raggmann54

Was the drone making a "delivery" to his house??? If so, did Walmart have permission to deliver that way??? If not, why was it above his house lowering a cord??? Probably should have just grabbed the cord and yanked the drone down...

rsvman2

Yes, he did. He should not be discharging a firearm.

candukid

What if that bullet had hit some innocent bystander a few streets away?
Just because nobody got hurt doesn't justify his actions.

backinit

Being arrested, being prosecuted, being convicted ...he'll have his day in court to plead his case.

Ack8236

Yes.

sdandrea1

Didn't have to arrest or cuff him. If the officer feels like he HAS to enforce the letter of the law, he could have called in to a superior and see if they thought the prosecutors would pursue a charge. Firing your 9mm into the air in a tightly constructed community like that is fraught with risk, but Florida is typically pretty "loose" on that (based on my experience in Citrus County). I'm thinking a misdemeanor charge with a fine would teach the lesson. There's always a way to do the right thing.

ode

What is the status of the case? Pending or has he been convicted?

johnnydoom

If he actually caused damage of more than $1000 then I’d say that arrest was appropriate. Hopefully he wasn’t detained long, can plea down to less than felony and can get a deal for no jail. I’d hate to think about how many firearm discharges occur in Miami and Jacksonville on a weekly basis that don’t even get investigated.

sdandrea1

Good grief. How about going after the murderers and drug dealers. 🙄

rsvman2

sdandrea1 Or how about not being paranoid and how about not shooting down drones?

ode

Yipsy Should he be charged with a felony vs convicted = very different. Process will play out. If he does not have a record / serious record and prosecutor is being reasonable then he won't have to plea to a felony!

sdandrea1

ode prosecutor is being reasonable.

This .........👍

Bravopilot

sdandrea1 All depends, may be a first case to help define what a homeowner actually owns of their property. Been many decisions about owning the mineral rights underneath the land, now with drones increasing, do we own all/some of the airspace about our property. Extends to privacy and protection for the govt using drones about our property.

Par4QC

rsvman2 shooting down drones

I thought that was illegal in all states. For any reason. The FAA governs drones, and their uses.

If I'm understanding the thread at all, his arrest was not about the drone; a complaint would need to be filed by owner. And I cannot listen to any of the convos in the vids. So......

We've had drone threads prior, btw.(flying over man's backyard pool.... daughter in bathing suit)

sdandrea1

rsvman2 Or how about not being paranoid and how about not shooting down drones?

Oh, I think he's done shooting at drones. I'm on the side of him suffering consequences. I just think it shouldn't be a felony in this case. If the courtd gives him a hefty fine on a misdemeanor, I would hope the problem is solved.

rsvman2

sdandrea1

Yipsy give me a break. Seriously. Drones aae all over this country. Not aware of any bombs being delivered via drone in America.

The fact that the guy is paranoid doesn't excuse his behavior. What if he was a coolrophobe; ok for him to open fire on the clown at this neighbor's kid's birthday party?

Par4QC

Were there hopes this would turn into a 'guns' thread, instead of about drones, when originally posted???

johnnydoom

Par4QC If he was actually charged with criminal mischief for >$1000 in damage I’d assume it is as much or more about the drone as it is the shooting - unless he missed badly and shot a neighbor’s property (house or car).

sdandrea1

There's a neighbor here that flies his drone up and down the river and consequently, my back yard while we're sitting on the back deck. It never occurred to me to shoot at it.

Bravopilot

sdandrea1 This has not been worked out yet, though some here think they know. The laws are old the govt is "exerted" control that is not inherent. Airspace, same with spectrum, needs to be updated.

colej

sdandrea1

Fine! How about a strategically placed pipe bomb where the drone lands???

backinit

I would think that at some point a low flying drone could be considered an invasion of privacy. I don't like of idea of using drones to deliver products, but hey I'm a middle class American.

Par4QC

Yipsy You can tell from watching he's not some lunatic.

Per Webster..........

a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, reckless, or uncontrolled manner

So, yes, he is.😉

Hope he has a fence around his property. Someone could possibly die, if they actually touched something of his.