Drone Attacks Helicopter—-Deputies Forced to Shoot it Down at Protest Site in North Dakota

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The Dakota Access Pipeline protest supported by some Oklahoma Native American tribes saw North Dakota law enforcement officials shooting at an unmanned aircraft over the weekend.

The Morton County Sheriff’s office said a helicopter that was monitoring the latest protest against the nearly $4 billion pipeline was approached by a drone in what the office called a “threatening manner.”  Those on board the helicopter said they were “in fear of their lives” and that the unmanned aircraft going after them. That’s when officers on the ground opened fire with what was described as “less-than-lethal” ammunition. The drone was damaged and it was forced to land.

Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier maintains that drones operated at the protest sites have been run in violation of federal regulations. Investigators are forwarding their findings to the states attorney’s office for possible charges. Two people operating drones during the protests have already been hit with charges.

Over the weekend, 126 people were arrested on Saturday during a large protest at one of the pipeline construction sites.