Deputies: 13-year-old points laser at sheriff's helicopter

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies said a 13-year-old pointed a laser at the Orange County sheriff's helicopter on Friday evening.

The helicopter was flying in the area of State Road 408 and Powers Drive when a green laser was pointed into the cockpit, investigators said.

The helicopter began circling the area and was hit by the laser a second time, according to deputies.

The pilot was able to determine the laser came from the yard of a home on North Observatory Drive. Investigators said the helicopter directed deputies on the ground to the home, where three juveniles were located.

Deputies determined that one of the juveniles, a 13-year-old, was the one who pointed the laser at the helicopter. Officials told WFTV the laser was attached to an air soft gun.

Investigators said the teen was not arrested but charges are being filed against him.

The teen's parents were cooperative with deputies and told WFTV their son didn't mean any harm.

"He had an air soft rifle and just decided to point it at the wrong thing, and obviously it cost him," the teen's father, Raymond Pagan, said.

The 13-year-old is being charged with interfering with the operation of an aircraft, which is a federal felony. Investigators said it will be up to the U.S. Attorney's Office to decide whether or not to prosecute the teen.

This is the second time a laser has been pointed at the Orange County sheriff's helicopter in a week. On Wednesday, deputies said they arrested 28-year-old William Leverance for also pointing a laser at the helicopter.

WFTV