HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville Police used a drone to safely locate and arrest a suspect following a shooting, authorities reported. The department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program provided real-time support during the investigation.
Officers were called on Friday evening, March 20, to the hospital after a shooting victim arrived. Investigators identified a possible suspect and his vehicle, believed to be connected to the incident.
A DFR drone was deployed to the 100 block of Barrell Avenue, where the suspect was believed to reside. Within 20 minutes, the drone located the vehicle at the residence, with thermal imaging indicating it had been recently driven.
The drone provided continuous aerial coverage of the property, helping officers coordinate their response safely. About an hour after the call, officers ordered the suspect out and took him into custody without incident.
“DFR allows us to get eyes on a scene quickly and provide real-time information to responding officers,” said Curt Worshek, director of the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center. HPD Chief Kirk Giles added, “This is exactly how DFR is intended to be used, demonstrating responsible use of technology in public safety.”
The suspect, 44-year-old Thomas Glenn Joiner Jr. of Huntsville, was interviewed by HPD’s Violent Crimes Unit and charged with first-degree assault.
