US man arrested after aiming laser pointer at Trump’s helicopter
US President’s Marine One helicopter (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In Washington, police arrested a man who aimed a laser pointer at US President Donald Trump’s helicopter, according to NBC News.
A criminal complaint filed on Monday states that the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, September 20.
A Secret Service officer noticed a shirtless man on Constitution Avenue talking to himself and behaving loudly. When the officer approached, the suspect aimed a red laser beam at his face, temporarily disorienting him.
Later, the man, later identified as Jacob Samuel Winkler, aimed a laser pointer at Marine One (the US President’s helicopter) as it flew low over the so-called Ellipse -an open park area on the south side of the White House between the presidential residence and the Washington Monument.
Court documents note that such behavior created a risk of temporary blindness and disorientation for the pilot, as well as potential collisions with other helicopters in the Washington Monument area.
A Secret Service officer apprehended Winkler, confiscated the pointer, and handcuffed him.
Afterward, the suspect knelt and began repeating phrases such as, “I should apologize to Donald Trump” and “I apologize to Donald Trump.”
Investigators also noted that Winkler had a fixed-blade knife approximately 7.5 centimeters long.
During further questioning, Winkler admitted to pointing a red laser at Marine One and claimed he was unaware that such actions were prohibited. He said he often aims lasers at various objects, such as road signs.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft in the US is considered a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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The shooting left one person dead and two others injured. One of the bullets hit Trump’s ear.
The attempt was attributed to a series of errors by the US Secret Service in organizing Trump’s campaign rally as a presidential candidate.
A second suspected attempt occurred on September 15, 2024. While playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, gunshots were fired near the future president.
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