Residents in New Jersey are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of information regarding numerous potential drone sightings above their residences. They are now considering taking matters into their own hands if the authorities do not provide clarification soon.
James Ward, a Realtor from Jersey Shore, posted a video on Facebook displaying what he described as “SUV-size drones” flying above Island Beach State Park on Sunday. The video shows multiple lights hovering in the sky, making it hard to determine the actual size of the drones.
The caption accompanying the video reads: “Numerous SUV-size drones visible in all directions. Appearing simultaneously, they fly over the ocean before dispersing in different paths. What are your thoughts on this?”
“A good shotgun will fix that problem,” one commenter replied.
In this image taken from video provided by MartyA45, several drones appear to be flying over Randolph, N.J., Dec. 4, 2024. (MartyA45/TMX via AP, File)
In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was expecting a classified briefing on the drone mystery Thursday.
FBI leaders had few answers at a public hearing earlier this week.
Asked if Americans are “at risk,” FBI Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group Robert Wheeler told Congress, “There is nothing that is known that would lead me to say that, but we just don’t know. And that’s the concerning part.”
A hearing involving the FBI and other law enforcement left state lawmakers unsatisfied earlier this week, with state Rep. Brian Bergen storming out of the meeting and telling NewsNation it was “the biggest waste of five hours in my life.”
“They don’t know where the drones are coming from, they don’t know who’s doing it. They don’t know why they’re doing it,” he said. “But they say there’s ‘no credible threat.’ It was annoying to be there.”
According to Gov. Murphy, there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday alone, mostly in Hunterdon County.
A map showing drone sightings around New Jersey. (Fox News)
In Southern California Wednesday, federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a Chinese citizen accused of using a hacked drone to take photos of the Vandenberg Space Force Base from a mile up.
“This defendant allegedly flew a drone over a military base and took photos of the base’s layout, which is against the law,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The security of our nation is of paramount importance, and my office will continue to promote the safety of our nation’s military personnel and facilities.”
Yinpiao Zhou, 39, was arrested Monday, more than a week after drone-detecting equipment spotted the intrusion. There’s no known connection between that case and the New Jersey sightings, leaving residents hungry for answers.
Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
