Laser Caused 'Dangerous' Situation at 2017 Vernon Fireworks: Cops

VERNON, CT — A dangerous situation was created at the 2017 Vernon fireworks show by a man aiming a laser pointer at those in charge of monitoring the display, Vernon police said Friday. The man was arrested on a warrant Thursday.

Vernon's annual July in the Sky fireworks show draws thousands of spectators from the area. A warrant contains months of testimony on the case. Police quickly thwarted a similar incident in 2018, which led them to a suspect in the 2017 incident, case records show.

The fireworks display began at about 9:40 p.m. in 2017 on July 5, and, shortly after, police noticed a "high powered" green laser light was being aimed at the area near Fox Hill Tower at Henry Park, where a private company shoots off the fireworks via a computer-coordinated program, according to a warrant.

The tubes through which the fireworks are shot off must be monitored by sight by an attendant with a shut off switch and abnormal explosions could cause a firework to be shot off horizontally "toward the crowd," according to a warrant. According to a warrant, a disturbed launch tube could cause a shell to travel 500 feet horizontally and "hot explosives" could travel another 200 feet after it crashed, fireworks staffers told police.

The laser hit staffers from the fireworks company in the eyes at least four times, temporarily distracting them from monitoring the tubes, according to a warrant. The staffers told police the light was "blinding," according to a warrant.

The laser was traced to a porch at 25 Oak St. — 3,488 feet away — after a similar incident in 2018, according to a warrant. Police were monitoring that area this year in anticipation of another episode, according to case records.

The laser had a power level of "1000MW," and was as bright as a welding torch, according to case documents.

Arrested in the case was 45-year-old Daniel Brahier, who currently lives at 24 Grove Street in Vernon, according to a report. He was charged with the illegal use of a laser pointer, second-degree breach of peace and second-degree reckless endangerment, according to arrest rercords.

He at first denied any involvement with the 2017 incident and then admitted to "having fun" with the pointer, according to a warrant.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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