MORTON COUNTY, ND (KFGO) - Two people who were inside a helicopter that was shot with arrows and buzzed by a drone during a Dakota Access Pipeline protest say they feared for their lives. The helicopter was attacked over the weekend while it was being used to monitor protesters' activities in Morton County.
Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser was in the helicopter when he saw the unidentified drone get dangerously close. “It was very close to the helicopter, like 50 feet, in that area” Kaiser said. “It is scary. You don’t know what’s going to happen. It just shows that some of the protesters are not very peaceful and they are endangering lives.”
The helicopter pilot, who doesn't want to be identified, says he had to take evasive action. “After flying in North Dakota for many years, it’s not normal for this stuff to occur” the pilot said. “You just start thinking differently and get away from the situation as soon as possible because it can be dangerous when you don’t know what their objective is with that unmanned aircraft.”
The drone was flying in violation of FAA rules. Officers used a shotgun to damage it with non-lethal ammunition, forcing the operator to land it.