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A retiree who shot at a Walmart delivery drone to make it “shoo off” has accepted a plea deal after being hit with criminal charges.
A Florida man, 72-year-old Dennis Winn, has been ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to Walmart after he shot down one of the company’s drones in June, claiming it was surveilling him. The incident has sparked a viral reaction online, with some netizens suggesting that New Jersey could benefit from having a man like Winn on their side amid growing concerns over mysterious drone sightings in the state.
Winn, from Lake County, Florida, was charged with multiple offenses after he fired at the drone, which was flying over his home in the Overlook at Lake Louisa neighborhood on June 26. The drone was part of a mock delivery operation conducted by Walmart’s drone delivery service. According to reports, after the drone was shot, the workers operating it fled the scene and returned the drone to Walmart.
When Lake County deputies arrived to interview Winn, he explained that he believed the drone was surveilling him, citing past experiences with similar incidents. He then retrieved a 9mm pistol from his gun safe and fired at the drone. The authorities noted that children were playing nearby at the time of the shooting.
Winn’s actions led to charges of discharging a firearm in public, criminal mischief, and shooting or throwing deadly missiles at a dwelling, vessel, or vehicle. During his arrest, Winn seemed surprised when informed that the drone belonged to Walmart, responding with "Really?" The officer also informed him that the drone likely cost tens of thousands of dollars, though Winn had not reported previous drone concerns to the police, only to his homeowners’ association (HOA).
In a court agreement on November 27, Winn accepted a restitution order, agreeing to pay $5,000 for the damage caused to the drone. His attorney clarified that this payment was an acknowledgment of wrongdoing but not a guilty plea. Winn will avoid jail time if he remains charge-free for the next six months.
While the legal case has been settled, the incident has ignited a flood of online reactions. On social media, many have rallied behind Winn, with some suggesting that his actions might have been more justified than initially thought.
One user tweeted, “New Jersey could use this guy right now,” referencing the ongoing saga of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey. The Garden State has seen an increase in drone reports, particularly around Thanksgiving, sparking conspiracy theories and intense media coverage. Gov. Phil Murphy and other state officials have called for answers from federal authorities, but so far, the mystery remains unsolved.
Some online commentators have even suggested that Winn’s actions were a response to the failure of authorities to act on similar concerns. "He did exactly what the government failed to do," one user wrote, while another remarked, “Maybe there’s a reason there’s no drones over Florida and 2A supporting states!”
The drone sightings in New Jersey have also caught the attention of notable figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, who posted on his social media platform, urging the public to be informed, “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”
