Moment 13-year-old shines laser at police helicopter mid-flight ‘because he was bored’

A sheriff’s office in Florida has shared footage of the moment a laser was pointed at their helicopter by a 13-year-old.

The incident happened at approximately 12:30am on Thursday 19 April, while the chopper was flying above Largo, the third largest city in Pinellas County.

“Flight deputies maintained visual on the suspect and directed patrol deputies on the ground to the suspect’s location,” a statement from Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office read.

Deputies made contact with the juvenile, who admitted to shining the laser - which was mounted on a flare gun - at the helicopter “because he was bored”.

Per Florida State Statute, it is a third-degree felony for any person who knowingly and willfully shines, points, or focuses the beam of a laser lighting device on an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.