Teen Pointed Laser At Sheriff’s Office Helicopter From Palmetto Apartments: Watch

PALMETTO, FL — A Palmetto teen faces a felony charge after pointing a laser at a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Tuesday night.

The 17-year-old, whose name hasn’t been released because he’s a juvenile, was charged with pointing a laser light at a drive or pilot, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

A helicopter with the MCSO’s Aviation Unit was patrolling the airspace above Oakridge Apartments at 600 13th Street W. around 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday when the pilot noticed a green laser pointer being aimed at him. (Watch a video of the incident below.)

The laser was repeatedly flashed at the helicopter, MCSO said. The pilot saw that the laser pointer was being operated by someone in the area of the apartments.

The pilot called Palmetto police, who met with the teen. He told officers that he had the laser pointer in his pocket and had pointed its beam at the sheriff’s office.

He was detained by police, who took the laser pointer from his pocket, MCSO said. The teen’s parents notified and responded to the scene. He was arrested and brought to the Manatee Juvenile Detention Center.

Watch the helicopter pilot’s video from the incident below: