LANCASTER County —Two people are in custody after a laser strike on an Nebraska State Patro airplane.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a Nebraska State Patrol Pilot and Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) were performing an aerial patrol above the city of Lincoln when their plane was struck by a laser from the ground, a ccording to a media release from the Patrol.
Any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency. Troopers were able to determine that the laser came from the area of Portia and Knox streets in north Lincoln.
The Patrol Tactical Flight Officer communicated with Lincoln Police Officers on the ground and directed them to the area where the laser strike had originated. Officers found two people at the location, as well as a laser, a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia.
Police arrested Alena Moniz, 43, and Jade Ways, 39, both of Lincoln, for possession of a controlled substance. Troopers also responded and cited Moniz for attempted second degree assault on an officer, in relation to the laser strike.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous,” said Lieutenant Justin Grint, Commander of the NSP Aviation Support Unit. “A laser strike can temporarily blind a pilot, and at a minimum takes the pilot’s attention away from flying the aircraft. Never point a laser at an aircraft.”
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration and the investigation remains ongoing. According to the FAA, there were 20 laser strikes reported in Nebraska in 2025.