VIDEO: State Patrol airplane hit with laser

Seattle-Tacoma: The FBI and Transportation Security Administration are investigating complaints that someone has been pointing lasers at airline pilots as they approach Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. To illustrate the problem, the State Patrol today released this video of a laser pointer being aimed at a pilot flying at 2,000 feet. On Jan. 29, troopers in a State Patrol airplane were targeted with a laser pointer in the Fife area. The airplane was initially hit with a green laser and the tactical flight officer (TFO) was able to turn the airplaneapos;s Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera on the residential area where the initial laser originated. The individual soon tried it again, and the TFO was able to identify the individualapos;s location. The airplane flew over the residence until Pierce County sheriffapos;s deputies were able to make contact with the individual. The suspect was not arrested at the scene. However, a person can be indicted under the Patriot Act for interfering with aircraft pilots, and charges by the Pierce County Prosecutorapos;s Office are considered pending and should be filed by the end of this month, the State Patrol said.