Business Owner Threatens To Press Charges Against Neighbor Accused Of Swatting Drone Out Of Sky
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A Huntington Beach business owner says he plans to press charges against a man recorded swatting his drone out of the sky if he doesn't pay up.
Michael Luzansky, owner of Lucky7Drones, says the company was shooting an instructional video on 13th Street Wednesday night when the man smacked the drone out of the air with a T-shirt. The man, who Luzansky says is his neighbor, allegedly accused the drone operator of flying over his house.
Sunday night, pieces of the propeller still lined the street and Luzansky says the 4K camera's glass it was carrying is shattered.
Video of the incident has already clocked more than 100,000 views.
Ben Hendricks rolled on the whole thing.
"I think he questioned whether we were flying legally or not. And, of course we were," he said.
According to Hendricks, the drone also never made it above 3 feet off the ground. He also noted that since the City of Huntington Beach doesn't have drone restrictions, flying it was legal.
Luzansky, meanwhile, says he posted the video online to send a message.
"Stop the drone violence. We want to educate people," he said.
Luzansky says when flying drones, he always respects the property of others. He wishes the same respect for property would have been shown to his drone.
He also says he has filed a police report and tells CBS2/KCAL9 he won't press charges if his neighbor pays up.
"Right now, we're out $1,400 and the gentleman refuses to make good with his liabilities," he said.
The man accused declined to speak to CBS2/KCAL9.
