A 17-year-old is facing federal and state charges after police say he pointed a laser at planes, briefly blinding pilots, and was later found with multiple weapons near Gwinnett Place Mall in the metro Atlanta area.
According to Gwinnett County police, pilots reported a green laser striking their aircraft around 8 p.m. on March 20.
Pilots were able to pinpoint where it was coming from and alerted air traffic control, which then contacted 911.
Officers responded to the area and located the teen. Police said he had a stolen Glock handgun in his waistband, along with a machine gun and THC vape products.
The teen, identified as Billy Rojas, faces six charges, including multiple felonies. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported nearly 11,000 laser strikes on aircraft across the United States last year. The FAA warns even brief exposure can temporarily blind pilots and put lives at risk.
