Police Drone Aids in Arrest of 2 Juvenile Shooting Suspects in San Rafael
SAN RAFAEL, CA — An automated police drone helped officers apprehend juvenile suspects
implicated in a shooting in San Rafael. Two juveniles were arrested and booked at Marin
County Juvenile Hall on July 28.
The shooting happened downtown on 500 block of Irwin Street at 7:49 p.m. Callers reported
two suspects fled on foot, after shooting at a moving vehicle. Police dispatchers obtained
descriptions of the suspects broadcast to responding units.
“The victim was contacted and interviewed, and fortunately physically unharmed,” San Rafael
police said in a prepared statement.
Within minutes an aerial drone responded to the area. The drone monitored two persons
running from Duffy Place, behind a nearby building, and onto Andersen Drive. Police
intercepted both suspects on Andersen Drive, where they were arrested.
Officers recovered a handgun allegedly used in the shooting. Both juveniles were booked on
suspicion of multiple felonies relating to the discharge and illegal possession of a firearm.
San Rafael PD is a pioneer in use of automated drones. A drone launches itself when a high-
priority 911 dispatch is received. SRPD is the only agency in Marin County with a “Drone as
First Responder” system. DFR is designed to arrive at crime scenes oftentimes before
responding officers.
Novato police and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office also use drones for law enforcement.
However, only San Rafael police use an automated drone system with a special waiver
granted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Other drone systems are operated by officers.
The shooting incident presently described as unprovoked remains under investigation.
Anyone with information about this crime can call San Rafael police at 415-485-3000.
– by Jim Emerson
