A 15-year-old from Buffalo has been arrested in connection with a laser strike on a New York State Police helicopter last fall.
State Police say the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested the juvenile on Wednesday on a charge of directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree, a class E felony.
The incident happened on October 16, around 8:15 p.m., while a State Police aviation helicopter was operating in the area of Ashley and Person Streets in Buffalo. Troopers say the aircraft was struck multiple times by a green laser, which hit both the pilot and the flight officer in the eyes while they were wearing night vision goggles. Police say the laser caused visual spotting and prevented the crew from seeing their interior instruments, creating a serious safety risk and forcing the pilot to change course to avoid further exposure.
State Police, with assistance from the Buffalo Police Department, investigated the incident and identified a juvenile suspect.
The teen was issued a Family Court appearance ticket and referred to Erie County Probation.
State Police are reminding the public that shining a laser at an aircraft is dangerous and illegal, and can cause temporary blindness or disorientation for pilots, increasing the risk of a crash and putting both air crews and people on the ground in danger.
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