Fired Several Shots From A 9mm Handgun At The Aircraft

A Bradenton, FL homeowner fired several shots at a drone he said was hovering over his property last Monday, but was unsuccessful at hitting the aircraft.

The Smoking Gun reports that the homeowner is Wilmer Yanes, 39. He said that he noticed the drone hovering over his property at around 6 p.m. He said the drone came within a few feet of the ground, and he waved his hand at the camera-equipped aircraft trying to show the operator that he wanted the drone away from his property. When it did not leave, he fired several shots from his 9mm handgun at the aircraft, but did not hit it.

Yanes said he was concerned that the drone operator was a "psycho" who might be spying on his 16-year-old daughter.

Yanes is a Honduran native that runs a construction firm. He says he has a permit for the handgun.

Police determined that the drone as being flown by a neighbor, who said he did not realize it was being fired on. He denies flying the aircraft over Yanes property. The operator was identified only as "Christopher" in a police report, and his drone is registered with the FAA.

A patrolman "educated" Yanes on how to properly handle a firearm, and informed him that "shooting at a drone was not legal", according to the police report.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report