Sky5 encountered a scary situation early Wednesday morning when someone shined a laser at the helicopter.
The blue laser hit the chopper as Sky5 was covering a police shooting in Winnetka.
It appears the laser was emitted from a home near Payeras Street and Mason Avenue in Chatsworth.
Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, according to the FBI.
“If you point a laser and interfere with the operation of an aircraft, that’s a felony,” the FBI said. “The crime carries a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a quarter of a million dollars fine. In addition, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $11,000 for each violation.”
Authorities have been targeting those who shine lasers at aircraft, especially in California, which led the country in such incidents in 2023.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a man earlier this month for allegedly pointing a laser at a police helicopter during a street takeover.
