ECSO: Teen pointed laser at LifeFlight

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Nicholas Padilla, 14, of Pensacola, Thursday morning because they said he pointed a laser pointer at a Lifeflight Helicopter as it attempted to land.

Emergency responders use the Lifeflight helicopter to reach areas quicker that they normally couldn’t with an ambulance. The 14-year-old had an outstanding warrant for pointing a laser at a driver or pilot, which is a third-degree felony.

Last Tuesday, deputies working an attempted suicide were waiting for Lifeflight to land and transport the attempted suicide victim.

“Anytime a medical call goes out like that where you need a helicopter to transport someone, the seconds do count. So it could be detrimental,” said Deputy Matt Baxter.

The ECSO said the Lifelight crew informed them that they would have to abort their landing and circle the area due to someone pointing a laser at the helicopter.

Once they were able to land safely, a member of the flight crew and a fire fighter questioned neighbors about the laser and where it was coming from.

The crew member located Padilla and the fire department stayed with him until deputies could arrive.

When deputies arrived, Padilla admitted to pointing the laser at the helicopters and apologized for his actions.

“It’s a very serious crime and it’s very dangerous because if the helicopter were to crash it could injure a lot of people,” Baxter said.