Florida man arrested for destroying Walmart delivery drone

A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly shooting a Walmart delivery drone, rendering it inoperable, according to deputies in Lake County. The incident occurred at 1450 Johns Lake Road in Clermont, where Walmart representatives reported the drone shooting.

Deputies responded to a call from Walmart after drone delivery representatives reported that a two-man crew, conducting mock deliveries to attract business, had their drone shot down in a nearby community. The crew was in front of a home in a cul-de-sac when they heard a loud noise resembling a gunshot as the drone began to descend.

One representative saw a 60-year-old white man, later identified as Dennis Winn, standing at the side of the home, aiming a gun towards the sky and the descending drone. The crew quickly returned to Walmart, where they discovered $2,500 worth of damage to the drone's payload system.

Deputies visited the home where the alleged shooting took place and spoke with Winn, a 72-year-old resident. When questioned, Winn admitted to the incident, stating that he retrieved his gun and fired at the drone because he believed it was watching him. He mentioned previous experiences with drones flying over his home, which led to his suspicion and subsequent action.

Winn was arrested and charged with shooting at an aircraft, criminal mischief causing damage over $1,000, and discharging a firearm on public or residential property. He is currently being held in custody.

The Walmart drone was part of a campaign to demonstrate delivery capabilities and attract business interest. The significant damage caused by the shooting underscores the potential risks and liabilities associated with drone operations.