A 13-year-old boy from Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly pointing a laser at a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office helicopter. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday in Largo, Florida.
According to the sheriff's office, the helicopter was flying over the area of 7th Street Northwest and 11th Avenue when a green laser was directed at the aircraft. Deputies on board the helicopter were able to identify the suspect and guide ground deputies to his location.
Video footage released by the sheriff's office captured a deputy in the helicopter urgently requesting assistance, stating, 'He's blinding our pilot.' Deputies on the ground swiftly located the young teen, who confessed to using a laser lighting device to illuminate the helicopter. The deputies discovered a flare gun equipped with a green laser in the boy's possession.
Reportedly, the teenager admitted that he targeted the helicopter out of boredom. While being transported in a squad car, he expressed surprise, saying, 'I didn't know it was a police helicopter.'
The 13-year-old was arrested and charged with felony misuse of a laser lighting device. He was subsequently taken to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center for processing. Under Florida law, it is considered a third-degree felony to knowingly shine a laser at an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities work to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the boy's actions.
