Laser strikes York Regional Police helicopter, minutes later man arrested

Canadian authorities quickly apprehended an Ontario man after he fired a laser beam at a York Regional Police helicopter early Sunday morning.

According to Canadian media accounts, a police helicopter dubbed Air2 was aloft over Vaughan, Ontario, north of Toronto helping ground units respond to a weapons call. The helicopter itself was then struck by a laser—but by switching to an infrared system, Air2 was easily able to locate the shooter on the ground who appeared to have a handgun of some kind. This suspected firearm turned out to be an air gun with a laser sight.

Within minutes, patrol officers with the Canine Unit and Emergency Response Unit responded on foot—the suspect fled into a wooded area nearby, discarding the gun.