Suspect Arrested After Laser Strikes California Highway Patrol Pilot in Eye

A man was arrested Vacaville, California, on February 17, after a laser was pointed at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) aircraft, striking the pilot in the eye, the CHP said.

The CHP Airplane Air-31 was on its way to the Napa County Airport around 10.50 pm when a blue light was aimed at it from a nearby house, the CHP said.

Aerial video from the CHP shows a blue light flashing from a house south of central Vacaville. It goes on to show Solano County Sheriff’s deputies arresting the suspect, who was found with a laser and charged with two felonies, the CHP said.

The suspect, 33-year-old Christopher Larsen, could also face fines from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the CHP.

The CHP said the blue laser was pointed “directly” at the aircraft. The pilot was struck in the eye, but was able to control the plane with the help of autopilot, they said.

“There have been several reports to the Travis Air Force Base Tower of military and civilian aircraft being struck by a laser over the last few days,” the CHP said.

The CHP said it’s unclear if the recent laser strikes were from the same person, but officers have been investigating. Credit: CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations via Storyful