Teen accused of pointing laser at Nebraska State Patrol helicopter in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A teen was arrested Thursday night after pointing a laser at a Nebraska State Patrol helicopter in Lincoln, officials say.

Around 10 p.m., a patrol helicopter was helping the Lincoln Police Department with the pursuit of a reckless driver.

While tracking the vehicle, the helicopter was hit with a green laser, according to the patrol.

The pilot determined the laser came from a window in the area of Abel Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s City Campus.

Officers from the UNL Police Department found an 18-year-old man who was responsible, the patrol said.

A trooper arrested Riley Palma on suspicion of second-degree assault.  The patrol reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not only a federal crime, but also extremely dangerous,” said Lt. 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.”

WATCH | THIS is why shining a laser pointer at an aircraft is so dangerous. #LPD Tactical Flight Officer Nate Grimm explains what it’s like in the cockpit when this happens. He was flying last night with a @NEStatePatrol pilot when they were struck by a green laser. https://t.co/h1nwranoH8

— Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) January 24, 2025

Palma is due back in court on March 5.