UPDATE: Authorities shoot drone, protesters build blockade
Morton County Sheriff's Department (Courtesy: Facebook)Mandan, ND (WDAY TV) - Authorities shot down a drone reportedly flying near a helicopter near a pipeline protest site in Morton County.
The Morton County Sheriff's Department reported two documented cases where an unmanned aircraft system flew at a helicopter in a "threatening manner."
A sheriff on board the helicopter, that was assisting in surveillance, said that the helicopter pilot and passengers were "in fear of their lives."
Authorities say that around 11 a.m., the drone was flying above officers.
Since that's a violation of FAA rules, law enforcement used less-than-lethal ammunition to fire on and damage the drone. The operator of the drone then landed the UAS.
Authorities have closed Highway 1806 due to protest activity north of the camp.
Police say protesters escalated their blockade activity by moving hay bales, rocks, tree stumps and other items to fortify a roadblock they created at 2 p.m. Sunday.
A traffic control point is in place and will likely remain for an extended amount of time.
Officials say 200 protesters and 8 horses entered private property east of 1806.
