One Shot, $5,000 Gone: How a Real Estate Drone Became a Target in Alabama

On August 29, a DJI Mavic 4 Pro valued at $5,000 crashed from 250 feet after being struck by gunfire during a commercial real estate photography assignment near Lindsay Lane South in Athens, Alabama. Michael Gardner, owner of Deep South Aerial Photography and a licensed Part 107 commercial drone pilot, was operating the aircraft for a client when he heard what he described as a gunshot.

What happened to the drone

Gardner told WAFF-TV that the live video feed on his controller abruptly degraded as the drone began descending uncontrollably. He later recovered the wreckage approximately two houses away from the property he had been photographing. Flight logs confirmed the aircraft was flying over a wooded area at an altitude of 250 feet at the time of impact. An inspection revealed a bullet had struck one of the rear motors.

Gardner emphasized the potential severity of such an incident: the Mavic 4 Pro uses a lithium-ion battery, and a bullet strike to that component could trigger thermal runaway and fire during descent. He also noted the inherent danger posed by any uncontrolled drone fall — particularly to people, vehicles, structures, and other property located beneath its flight path.

“It’s not so much a legal issue as it is a safety issue,” Gardner stated, according to 1819News.

Capabilities of the Mavic 4 Pro

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is DJI’s flagship consumer/prosumer camera drone. Its triple-camera system centers on a 100-megapixel 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad main sensor. It supports up to 6K/60fps HDR video capture and delivers up to 15.5 stops of dynamic range. Two additional cameras — a 70mm medium telephoto and a 168mm telephoto — expand compositional options for aerial real estate imaging.

The drone features DJI’s rotating Infinity Gimbal, capable of full 360-degree rotation and upward tilt of up to 70 degrees. DJI specifies a maximum flight time of 51 minutes and an O4+ transmission system with a rated video transmission range of up to 30 kilometers (approximately 18.6 miles) under specified conditions.

For real estate photographers, the combination of high-resolution wide-angle and telephoto lenses allows comprehensive coverage — from expansive site overviews to tightly framed architectural details — without requiring the drone to fly directly over a residence.

Why homeowners may misinterpret drone operations

Gardner explained that achieving optimal aerial perspectives often requires positioning the drone away from the subject property — sometimes resulting in visible flight over adjacent land. Such movement does not indicate intent to photograph neighboring homes, yet can provoke misunderstanding among residents unfamiliar with standard real estate drone workflows.

Legal boundaries of drone defense

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explicitly prohibits private citizens from shooting at any aircraft, including unmanned systems. The agency warns that doing so creates serious hazards if the drone crashes into people or property. Violations may trigger FAA civil penalties and/or federal, state, or local criminal charges.

Federal law codified in 18 U.S.C. § 32 makes willful damaging, destroying, disabling, or wrecking of certain aircraft a felony offense punishable by fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years. Prosecution depends on jurisdictional elements and factual circumstances; state and local statutes may also apply.

The FAA further clarifies that private “No Drone Zone” signage applies only to ground activity — such as prohibiting takeoff or landing on the property — and does not automatically extend to airspace above it. Property owners retain rights under trespass and privacy laws, but complaints about drone operations must be directed to law enforcement rather than addressed with firearms.

Precedent: A similar Florida case

This incident echoes a 2021 case in Lake County, Florida, where Wendell Goney fired a .22-caliber rifle at a drone operated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office during a search of a 10-acre business property. Goney claimed he believed the drone was “harassing” him.

He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm — a charge stemming from his prior felony convictions — and received a four-year federal prison sentence in February 2024.

Current status of the Athens investigation

Gardner reported the August 29 incident to the Athens Police Department and filed a complaint with the FAA. As of the latest available reports, no individual has been publicly identified by authorities as the shooter.

Gardner stressed the importance of dialogue over confrontation between drone operators and property owners. His recommendation remains consistent: if a drone operation raises concerns, contact law enforcement — not a firearm.