LAPD Arrests Suspect for Laser Strike on Airship NR25030jl

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division’s Street Racing Task Force has made an arrest in connection with an incident involving the discharge of a laser at an LAPD airship.

On February 8, 2025, around 12:25 a.m., officers assigned to the Street Racing Task Force observed a street takeover in progress at the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Vermont
Avenue. Approximately 50 vehicles were blocking the intersection, with pedestrians present in the roadway.

While canvassing the area, an LAPD airship observed a suspect discharging a high-powered green laser at the helicopter. The Airship Pilot and Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) took immediate action to avoid the laser strikes while maintaining visual contact with the suspect’s location. The suspect, later identified as Brian Gutierrez, was seen fleeing the area and entered the backyard of a property on the 15800 block of Berendo Avenue in the City of Gardena.

Additional units from the Street Racing Task Force responded to the location. A search of the property led to the discovery of Gutierrez hiding in a detached structure, where he was taken into custody without incident. Gutierrez was positively identified by the LAPD Airship’s Tactical Flight Officer.

“While pointing a laser at a helicopter may seem harmless, the actions of this individual are both illegal and dangerous,” said LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell. “Discharging a laser at an aircraft can blind the pilot putting the lives of our officers and the public at risk. The quick response of the Street Racing Task Force and our Air Support Division ensured the safety of our team, the public and led to the successful apprehension of the suspect.”

Gutierrez, a 27-year-old Hispanic male from Gardena, was arrested for violating California Penal Code 247.5 / Discharging a Laser at an Aircraft, a felony, and was found to have a no-bail warrant. During the investigation, a black cylindrical laser pointer was recovered from the front yard of the property and positively identified as the device used in the laser strikes. Gutierrez was booked into LAPD Central Station.

Major Crimes Division advised that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed two felony counts of 245(c) PC / Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer and one felony count of 247.5 PC / Discharge of Laser at Aircraft. In addition, the United States Attorney’s Office reviewed the case of the laser strike to the LAPD Airship Officers, and Federal Statute 18 USC 39(a) / Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft will be considered for federal filing.

Once the federal statute is filed and the case is indicted, Gutierrez will be arrested on the federal charge.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact LAPD Major Crimes Division, Detective Beard at (213) 486-7280. During non-business hours or on
weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.