The incident happened at around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Officers assigned to Tac Air 1 (Philadelphia Police Department's Helicopter) reported that while flying in the area of 4000 N. 6th Street, they observed a bright green laser light shining from the ground towards their aircraft.
The green laser light struck both officers in the face causing temporary blindness and pain.
At approximately 10:20 pm, the officers again observed the same green laser coming from the ground and striking both officers again in the face causing temporary blindness and pain.
The officers in the helicopter relayed information to the officers on the ground and directed them to the west side of the 4000 of the block of N 6th Street.
Responding officers observed a male later identified as Brian Lawhon, drop a 6-inch long black pen cylinder to the ground.
Lawhon was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault on police.
The officers assigned to Tac Air 1 were both transported to Aria Hospital Torresdale Division where they were treated and released.
Brian Lawhon is charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, Causing / Risking A Catastrophe, Possessing An Instrument of Crime, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
