Laredo Man Cited for Pointing Laser at Police Drone

Incident raises concerns about safety risks of interfering with law enforcement aircraft.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 38-year-old Laredo, Texas resident was cited by police for a misdemeanor offense after allegedly pointing a laser at a Laredo Police Department drone aircraft. The incident occurred on February 26th when the drone pilot reported the laser being directed at the aircraft.

Why it matters

Pointing lasers at aircraft, including drones, is a serious safety concern as it can temporarily blind pilots and create hazardous conditions. This type of incident raises questions about the need for greater public awareness and enforcement around laws prohibiting the illumination of aircraft.

The details

According to police, the drone pilot reported the laser at around 8:12 pm on February 26th. Through an investigation, officers determined the laser was coming from a residence on East Eistetter Street. Police made contact at the home and issued the 38-year-old resident a citation for the Class C misdemeanor offense of illumination of an aircraft by intense light.

  • The incident occurred on February 26, 2026 around 8:12 pm.
  • The resident was cited on the same day, February 26, 2026.

The players

Laredo Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Laredo, Texas that operates a drone program and responded to the incident.

38-year-old Laredo resident

The individual who was cited for pointing a laser at the police drone.

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What’s next

The citation issued to the resident will go through the local judicial process.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater public education about the dangers and legal consequences of interfering with law enforcement aircraft, including drones, through the use of lasers or other means.