Southeast Texas — A Texas Department of Public Safety aircrew was struck by a high-intensity green laser while assisting law enforcement with a manhunt, leading to the arrest of an individual located by the aircraft’s cameras.
According to Texas DPS Southeast Texas Region, the aircrew used the aircraft’s daylight and thermal imaging cameras to capture the laser strike and trace it to an individual in a nearby parking lot.
DPS said the individual appeared to be working as an on-site security guard based on a visible security patch. The individual was detained, and the laser was located and confiscated.
The individual was subsequently arrested and charged with illumination of an aircraft by intense light and armed security guard without a security officer commission. DPS said both offenses are misdemeanors.
Authorities emphasized that pointing a laser at an aircraft can temporarily blind or disorient a pilot, cause visual impairment and endanger the aircrew, officers on the ground and members of the public.
DPS reminded the public never to point a laser at an aircraft.
