Wendell Goney, a resident of Mount Dora, took down the drone employed by Lake County police during their response to a burglary at an industrial site in July 2021. Goney used a .22-calibre rifle, claiming the drone was "harassing" him. His actions caused the drone to crash into a building's roof and catch fire.

Appearing in the Ocala federal court, Goney pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, under US federal law. His sentencing is set for January 18, 2024.

Previously convicted of 29 felonies, including illegal drug possession, burglary, aggravated assault against a police officer, violent resistance to arrest, and illegal possession of a firearm, Goney has a history of criminal offenses.

Goney's actions echo a widely publicized event where a Kentucky man, William Merideth, earned the moniker "Drone Slayer" for shooting down a drone he believed was spying on his daughter while sunbathing on their property.

In South Africa, comprehensive drone laws were established in July 2015, making it illegal to fly a drone within 50 meters of people, buildings, or roads without proper authorization. However, using a firearm to shoot down a drone in violation of these restrictions is against the law.

The Firearms Control Act in South Africa deems discharging a firearm in built-up places or public areas a criminal offense, except in cases of self-defense where life or property is genuinely at risk.

The appropriate action in such cases is either pursuing a civil court claim against the drone pilot or lodging a complaint with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for breaching the Aviation Act or its regulations.

While the former may be cost-prohibitive, the latter can be highly effective, given SACAA's stringent enforcement of drone regulations. SACAA possesses the authority to impose substantial fines, up to R50,000 per incident, for illegal drone use. In more severe cases, it may initiate legal proceedings, potentially resulting in a 10-year imprisonment sentence for the offender. However, if the victim cannot ascertain the drone operator's identity, legal options appear to be limited at present.