January 24, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with the assistance of the UNL Police Department, have arrested one person after a laser strike on the NSP helicopter. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. Thursday, the NSP Aviation Support Unit was assisting the Lincoln Police Department with a pursuit of a reckless driver. As the pilot and tactical flight officer were tracking the suspect vehicle, the helicopter was struck with a green laser.
The pilot was able to determine that the laser had come from a window in a specific area of Abel Hall, on the campus of University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Officers from the UNL Police Department were then able to locate the person responsible.
A trooper arrived on scene and arrested the suspect for second degree assault. The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was lodged in Lancaster County Jail. NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not only a federal crime, but also extremely dangerous,” said Lieutenant Justin Grint, Commander of the NSP AirWing. “A laser strike, at the very least, takes a pilot’s attention away from the flight of the aircraft, but it can also temporarily blind a pilot.”
According to the FAA, there were 38 reported laser strike incidents in Nebraska in 2024. This is the third time in the last two months that the NSP helicopter has been struck with a laser while flying above Lincoln.
