Video can be viewed on the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel or Facebook page
Air 1 Locates Suspect in Aircraft Laser Strikes
Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) Air 1 responded to locate a person suspected of pointing a green laser at three separate aircraft earlier in the evening and several other reported incidents over the last couple of months. While flying, the Air 1 Flight Crew noticed a green laser from north of their location, hitting their helicopter and permeating their cockpit. They locked in the position and guided law enforcement Officers on the ground to the suspect’s location, where he was arrested.
NOTE: Pointing a laser at any aircraft is extremely dangerous as the laser, at a minimum, distracts pilots/crews, can momentarily blind them, and can potentially cause permanent injury depending on its strength. Pointing a laser at ANY aircraft is a CRIME and can be life-threatening, risking the safety of the aircraft, its crew, and the public on the ground.
On April 18, 2025, at approximately 6:00 pm, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) Air 1 began a regularly scheduled patrol flight. Air 1’s Flight Crew was aware of several reported laser strikes on aircraft over the last couple of months. During these incidents, several pilots of multiple aircraft reported being struck by a green laser from an area north of Spokane International Airport (SIA).
On an initial flight through the suspected area, Air 1 did not observe any lasers being pointed toward their aircraft.
Later in the evening, before 11:00 pm, Air 1’s Flight Crew was informed of two newly reported green laser strikes originating from the northwest of SIA.
At approximately 11:00 pm, Air 1 began flying west toward the possible area to try and locate a suspect.
At approximately 11:50 pm, as they flew along the Spokane River, the crew was struck by an intense green laser from the north. Using their equipment and camera system, Air 1’s Crew pinpointed the location with an IR laser that pulses/blinks a beam of light that is invisible to the naked eye but can be viewed through night vision goggles (NVG) and the helicopter’s camera system.
Air 1 flew toward the suspect’s location using the IR position as the suspect periodically directed his green laser at Air 1. Once near the suspect’s location, Air 1, using its camera equipped with infrared capabilities, located the suspect standing in an open field near a power pole. They also took a video of the suspect using his green laser to target Air 1 and its Flight Crew.
Now, over the suspect’s location, Air 1 orbited the area. The suspect was observed mirroring the helicopter’s position, apparently trying to hide behind the power pole. The Flight Crew guided Officers on the ground to the suspect’s exact location, where 45-year-old Rusty A. Flett was taken into custody.
Flett could face multiple Washington State felony charges of Unlawful Discharge of a Laser 1st Degree or similar Federal felony charges.
On April 19, 2025, an Air 1 Flight Crew conducted a follow-up investigative flight. Using previously reported laser strike information, the Air 1 Crew compared the earlier information to generate a possible location of the suspect involved in the incidents prior to the evening of Flett’s arrest. Using these estimated locations, they determined the earlier laser strikes originated from within 200 yards of the spot where Flett was arrested.
Thankfully, no one reported any injuries during any of these laser strikes.
This remains an active investigation, and no further information is available. For additional information regarding laser strikes, please watch this FAA video or visit the FAA webpage with laser strike statistics.
Air 1 Flight Crew on April 18, 2025
Pilot: Brandon Armstrong, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Tactical Flight Officer: Chad Ruff, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Tactical Flight Officer: Christopher Huhta, Liberty Lake Police Department
Air 1 Flight Crew on April 19, 2025
Pilot: Don Kresse, Spokane Valley Fire Department
Tactical Flight Officer: Jeff Welton, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Tactical Flight Officer: Kyle Fritz, Liberty Lake Police Department
Additional Law Enforcement Agencies Involved
Spokane Tribal Police
Spokane International Airport Police
Fairchild Air Force Police
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Transportation Security Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Stevens County Sheriff’s Office
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Air 1 Locates Suspect in Aircraft Laser Strikes" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7