Parkville Teen Charged with Blinding Police Helicopter

A Parkville teen faces reckless endangerment charges after he allegedly pointed a laser pointer at an airborne Maryland State Police helicopter.

The 13-year-old boy was charged last night as a juvenile. He also was charged with laser pointer misuse and released into the custody of his parents, according to a statement released by the Maryland State Police.

The Maryland State Police Helicopter was on a training mission shortly after 8:30 p.m. Monday when it was illuminated by a flash of green light.

The light temporarily blinded those in the aircraft, including two pilots and a paramedic, according to the statement.

Using a spotlight, the helicopter crew was able to locate the teenager as he ran back into his home. The crew radioed , who then dispatched an officer to the juvenile's residence.

The officer spoke with the teen and his parents and recovered the laser pointer.

"The use of a laser to target in-flight aircraft is a very dangerous and irresponsible act," said Major Mark Gibbons of the State Police Aviation Command in a press release.

Gibbons explained that parents should remind their children that using a laser pointer to point at an aircraft could lead to criminal charges.