14-year-old boy arrested for allegedly pointing laser at plane at LAX

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly pointing a powerful laser at a Boeing 737 landing at Los Angeles International Airport, police said Wednesday.

Pilots pinpointed the laser's origin about 8 p.m. Tuesday and called police, who went to the boy's home near Avalon Boulevard and East 161st Street in South Los Angeles, said Sgt. William Dougherty of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police arrived by helicopter, and the boy pointed the green laser at the chopper as it flew in, Dougherty said. The boy was arrested and held in juvenile custody.

Police could not confirm the type of laser he used, but almost any pointed up from the ground could be a distraction to pilots, Dougherty said.

Pointing lasers at plane cockpits can blind pilots and damage their eyesight, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Comments

[jsa26]

This is a serious problem for pilots. Even temporary blindness like the flash from a camera can be dangerous during the landing phase. I know of several incidents like this. I'm glad they caught him.

Probably the kid didn't know how serious and didn't intend to put so many people in harms way.

A well publicized significant punishment would be good for public safety.

I feel sorry for the kid and his/her parents.

[oldtimer]

Time to make an example with this idiot.

A LAUSD "Goodbye Tour" followed by a year in stir is in order.

[kenbren]

What are you smoking? Nothing's going to happen to this poor minority child from a disadvantaged background, one parent household, blah blah blah.

[Oldskool]

How can anyone feel sorry for this kid? It's not like he flipped them off...he used a LASER. He knew what he was doing and probably had some bad intentions. A year in prison as suggested below is LIGHT. If that plane crashed and you or a loved one was on it, you would have a different perspective. Make an example of him.

[wow]

They arrived by helicopter? Seems kind of drastic! I guess they thought he might flee if they pulled up in a car. The kid obviously didn't even know the helicopter was there for him, since he was stupid enough to point the laser again!

[kb]

unfortunately with the proliferation of these devices and easy access to minors the only truly way to solve this issue will probably be at the aircraft side, someone inventing something that minimizes the effect of laser light in the cockpit

[socalcomment]

When I was 14 I would have never done anything this stupid. This is reprehensible! I would not settle for anything less than the death penalty You're right "oldtimer," let's make an example of him! Off with his head I say!

[Matt Rackham]

It's not a serious problem for pilots. It's just hysteria.

It's virtually impossible to handhold a laser and hit a plane with any consistency. In my research into this I can't find any cases of pilots actually seeing anything more than the line of the (usually green) laser coming up from the ground.

Green lasers in particular serve a useful role in pointing out astronomical objects from the ground. The fact that they can be seen from passing aircraft really means nothing.

This is just more hysteria from the people who make you take your shoes off at airports; it serves no function other than to keep people scared and compliant.

(It's quite possible to use handheld lasers for malicious purposes, but interfering with aircraft is the most far-fetched of the scenarios. I won't elaborate on the ones which could easily injure/kill people. Also, aiming your laser at the police helicopter searching for you doesn't show a lot of smarts.)

[Steve]

Tea Party favorite Sen. Rand Paul was the one vote against making pointing lasers at planes a federal crime, saying that some states already outlawed it, so it should be done state by state. I guess the pilots should keep track of which states to fly over, and land at.

[Vannie G.]

What was the dumb thing you did as a child that kept your family members talking about it to this day? For me, it was driving the car at 10 and running away at 8 to go camping with the church, only because my mother said I couldn't go.
Obviously, this was a childish mistake, by a child...dummies. For those of you who feel that I child to be made example of, I hope you never have any. You'd be a horrible parent. Discipline begins with explaining and showing what damages could happen, before taking a child and placing him on a track of complete doom. Let's not lock him up with grown up that think worst than you. Grow up people--and start thinking for a change: it actually works!

[Illegally Undocumented]

I got lasered in the eye in the Sistine Chapel because I stood next to some idiot who used a flash camera and the guards thought it was me. It burnt like hell. My vision has not been the same since. This was two years ago.

[john]

reading the comments on this dangerous act. I firmly believe that not only should the minor be arrested, but so should his or her parents; further, this should be a felony.

[Yoo]

I think the parent should also be held responsible for raising such a kid with no common sense

[Thomas B]

Wow, all the outcry over this kid. Look outside, there are drug dealers, murderers and gangbangers running loose. Where's the outcry for them? Maybe if they were armed with laser pointers instead of guns and knives...

[Steven Moshlak]

There is legislative amendment by Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, is afoot on Capitol Hill to make it a Federal crime to use a laser in this manner. I think state charges are productive enough. Federal charges may result in a $100 fine and a few months in the slammer.

[Nikkicar]

About time they start arresting those punks that have nothing better to do.

[bcd2825]

As my mother used to day, "it is all fun and games until you poke someone's eye out."

[kgoddess]

Stupid punk. And just what were his parents about letting him lose with a laser pointer, something that every 14-year-ole needs...not!

[peelot]

As an airline pilot I have to chime in here. Having the cockpit illuminated by a laser is indeed serious. These events often happen at critical times of flight when aircraft are slow and low, such as takeoff and landing, making it easier to aim the laser. All one can do is shield their eyes, but since the attack is unexpected there isn't always enough time and an injury can occur. In rare instances of laser activity pilots have taken a direct hit into the eyes, and it causes temporary blindness and long term serious injury. Pilots have enough going on during takeoff and landing without also having to dodge lasers. Besides the distraction, I don't want to risk injury to my eyes, and I seriously doubt that passengers want distracted or blinded pilots flying their plane. Punishment is in order for the individual who recklessly puts so many in harm's way.

[Dan m]

California Youth Authority till 25.

[Marcy Twane]

@peelot:

Well put...I would add that SEVERE punishment is in order...there needs to a deterrence effect...

[Greg Maragos]

Throw the book at the little stinker. Teach him and those who would follow in his footsteps a stern lesson.

[Michelle]

Here's a fresh idea: How about BANNING these lasers and BANNING guns too while we're at it! Let's take the weapons out of irresponsible people's & criminals' hands. Perfect example the 71 year old lady in England that stopped that Jewerly store break in, by thitting the criminals with her handbag. The reason she didn't get killed is that all those guys had were hammers to smash the glass. NO GUNS. If they would have had one or more guns, she would have been DEAD!! Why can't you people get this through your thick skulls???

[Lou]

Charge him as an adult and attempted murder charges that equal the number of people on that plane.

[Charles J]

A message to all who want to see this 14-year-old kid have the book thrown at him and have him tried as an adult: If, instead of this very stupid and dangerous stunt, he had had sex with an adult -- why then, the poor dear would be just a mere child, so throw the book at the adult!
Disgusting legal hypocrisy.