Drone program guides HPD to safe arrest of shooting suspect

Published on March 26, 2026

Huntsville Police officers responding to a recent shooting call were able to safely apprehend a suspect, with critical real-time support from the department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.

On Friday, March 20, around 8:40 p.m., HPD officers were dispatched to the hospital for a reported shooting victim. During the initial response, officers developed information about a possible suspect and the vehicle he was believed to be driving.

A request was made to deploy DFR to the 100 block of Barrell Avenue, where the suspect was thought to reside. Just over 20 minutes after the call, the drone located the suspect’s vehicle at the residence. Using thermal imaging, officers confirmed the vehicle had been recently driven.

The drone provided continuous aerial overwatch, giving officers real-time situational awareness as they coordinated their response. Coverage included all sides of the property, including the rear, helping ensure officer safety and strategic positioning.

Approximately one hour after the initial call, the suspect was ordered out of the residence and safely taken into custody.

“DFR allows us to get eyes on a scene quickly and start providing real-time information to responding officers,” North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center Director Curt Worshek said. “That early intelligence helps narrow the focus, improves coordination, and increases safety for everyone involved.”

HPD is committed to transparency in its use of technology.

“This is exactly how DFR is intended to be used,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “Sharing examples like this helps our community see how these tools are used in a focused and responsible way.”

Thomas Glenn Joiner Jr., 44, of Huntsville, was taken into custody, interviewed by HPD’s Violent Crimes Unit and charged with first-degree assault.