Man Arrested After Shooting at Drone Near Tulsa, Oklahoma Church

A man was arrested in east Tulsa, Oklahoma after allegedly shooting at a civilian drone that was being used for event preparation, according to a report from Tulsa Police.

Incident Details

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. Wednesday near a church at 41st and Mingo, reports Fox23. Church security personnel first alerted authorities after hearing gunshots and spotting a man walking in the area.

Police identified the suspect as Blake Butler, who was found on a nearby trail carrying a pistol. When questioned, Butler claimed he thought the drone was following him, leading to his decision to shoot at it.

Legal Implications

Shooting at any aircraft, including drones, is a serious federal crime. Under 18 U.S.C. § 32, “Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities,” damaging or destroying an aircraft carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Additionally, 18 U.S.C. § 39A specifically addresses “Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft” or attempting to interfere with its operation, which can result in up to 5 years in prison.

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 classified drones as aircraft, making these federal protections applicable to drones.

Drone Operator’s Account

The drone operator, who approached officers at the scene, explained they were legitimately using the drone over private property to prepare for an upcoming event. The exact nature of the event and any damage to the drone wasn’t specified in the report.

Legal Consequences

Butler was taken into custody and transported to Tulsa County Jail, facing gun charges along with previous outstanding warrants. While currently facing local charges, he could potentially face additional federal charges under the aircraft protection statutes given the nature of the incident.

DroneXL’s Take

This incident underscores the growing tensions between drone operators and concerned citizens. While privacy concerns are valid, shooting at drones is never a Legal or safe solution and constitutes a serious federal offense that could result in decades of prison time.

Similar incidents have been covered in our drone incident reports, showing a concerning pattern of drone-related confrontations. As drone use increases for legitimate business and personal purposes, public Education about drone rights, regulations, and the severe legal consequences of interfering with aircraft becomes increasingly crucial.

What’s your take on this incident? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Photos courtesy of Tulsa County Jail