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Laser Pointer Incidents

Grande Prairie RCMP arrest man after laser pointed at aircraft, vehicle and officer

May 13, 2021 | 10:15 AM

A complaint of a laser allegedly being pointed at an aircraft early Wednesday morning has led to charges against a 20-year-old Grande Prairie man.

Grande Prairie RCMP responded to the complaint at around 2:58 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12. A flight service specialist at the Grande Prairie Airport said a commercial plane was arriving at the airport when the laser was directed at the aircraft, disrupting the pilots.

Shortly after, the RCMP received reports of a laser being pointed at a vehicle, distracting the driver in the process.

While patrolling the area where the complaint had come from, an RCMP officer had a laser pointed at his body and face, which disrupted the officer temporarily.

Upon further investigation, RCMP located the residence where the laser originated from, and, because the resident wouldn’t open the door for the officer, the RCMP went and obtained judicial authorization to enter the premises.

Officers then returned to the home where they arrested 20-year-old Connor Layher and seized the laser pointer.

Layher has been charged with:

  • Mischief endangering life
  • Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
  • Assaulting a Peace Officer
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Possession of a prohibited weapon
  • Behavior that endangers aircraft 7.41(1) Aeronautics Act

Layher was released from custody following a judicial interim hearing and is due to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on May 31, 2021.