Life Flights diverted from OHSU over laser threat

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Medical helicopters will not be landing at OHSU Saturday night because of reports lasers may be shined at Customs and Border Patrol helicopters sent in to support ICE operations.

Officials with OHSU said Life Flight will land at other airports and patients will be taken to the hospital by ambulance, which could take as much as an hour. For patients with serious injuries, the delay could have real impacts, OHSU said.

In making this announcement, OHSU sent a picture of a flyer circulating that called for people to shine their lasers at 9 p.m. The flyer, headlined, “You’re Invited: Laser Tag,” encourages people to “unleash your beam at the cop copter” but make sure to “leave home …. mask up” and go to a park or an open field.

It’s unclear where the flyer came from or who is behind it.

KOIN 6 News had a crew out in the area looking for lasers being pointed at helicopters.

In late September, the FBI in Portland said 4 people were in custody after one of them allegedly pointed a laser at a law enforcement aircraft flying over Portland. They said they located and searched the home of a suspect who is accused of aiming a laser at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter.

Agents contacted the suspect as well as three other people who lived at the home on Monday morning and determined all were in the U.S. illegally, authorities said. The four individuals were placed into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.