While navigating the skies over two adjoining fields, a crop duster pilot noticed an unusual “pop” emanating from his aircraft, prompting immediate concern.
DOVER, Ind. — In a surprising twist, authorities have charged a 41-year-old Indiana farmer with the alleged shooting of a crop duster flying over his land this past July. The incident has stirred significant attention in the agricultural community.
On July 18, 2025, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office launched an inquiry following an alarming report from an aerial spraying pilot. This pilot claimed someone had fired at the plane while it was soaring above the 1600 block of 900 West, near the intersections of State Roads 32 and 75 in Boone County.
The “pop”
The pilot, in detailed court testimony, recounted hearing the distinct “pop” shortly after 6:30 p.m., alongside feeling feedback affecting the right rudder’s control. This was accompanied by the unexpected failure of the air conditioning system and an unusual odor inside the cabin, raising immediate unease. Nevertheless, all other onboard systems appeared to function normally.
Despite this mid-flight scare, the pilot completed the tasks at hand, covering the designated fields before returning to base in Paris, Illinois, where the company housed its fleet. Upon landing and conducting a closer inspection, the pilot discovered a telltale “bullet entry hole” puncturing the right side of his plane’s fuselage.
During their investigation, detectives spoke with the owner of the aerial spraying company. The man told investigators that he had been contacted by a representative for Keystone Cooperative, which contracted the man’s company to perform the spraying.
“They’re lucky I’m not a better shot”
In the court documents, the man says the representative told him a 41-year-old farmer, later identified as Kedrick Miller, contacted them and was “irate about the spraying, as he has a ‘no fly zone’ over his property.” According to court documents, the farm was referencing a “drift notice” that is used to protect the property from spraying.
The pilot of the crop duster told officials that he had shut off the sprayers as he flew over Miller’s property, according to court documents.
Detectives spoke with the Keystone Cooperative representative three days after the shooting. Court documents detail that the representative told officials he received a call from Miller, who he said “cussed a lot” and made the comment, “they’re lucky I’m not a better shot” before hanging up the phone.
Detained
On July 29, 2025, the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at the farmer’s address and detained Miller, who allegedly tried to leave the home, according to court documents.
Officials said they found several guns, ammunition and magazines inside of the home while they executed the search warrant.
“Made statements about shooting at the crop dusters in the past”
That same day, court documents reveal that officials spoke with Miller’s ex-wife since her children were present at the time of the man’s detainment.
She told detectives that Miller “has had issues with crop dusters around the property.” Court documents say she told officials they had the drift notice placed on the property in the past to try and stop crop dusters from flying overhead because it could cause the goats they had to “experience pregnancy loss due to the amount of stress that occurs.”
While she said she had never seen him shoot at a crop duster, the ex-wife told detectives that Miller “made statements about shooting at the crop dusters in the past,” according to court documents.
In 2022, she recalled Miller holding up a rifle at an overhead aircraft and said she “stood between him and the aircraft and told him that he was being ignorant to try and get him to put the rifle down,” according to court documents.
Facing charges
According to court documents, prosecutors charged Miller on Aug. 5, 2026, with the following:
- Attempted murder – Level 1 felony
- Disrupting the operation of an aircraft using force, violence or threats – Level 4 felony
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon – Level 5 felony
- Intimidation with a deadly weapon – Level 5 felony
Boone County Sheriff Tony Harris provided the statement below following the shooting:
“This case serves as a reminder that decisions made in the heat of the moment can have serious and lasting consequences. Any time a firearm is intentionally discharged at an occupied aircraft, it creates an extremely dangerous situation with the potential for catastrophic consequences. Pilots operating agricultural aircraft provide an important service to our farming community and deserve to do their jobs without being placed in harm’s way. The alleged actions in this case presented a significant risk not only to the pilot, but to anyone on the ground who could have been affected if that aircraft had been forced down or a bullet had gone astray.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were notified of the shooting and worked with the sheriff’s office during the investigation.