Two men charged with pointing laser, firing gun at KY State Police helicopter
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- Kentucky State Police accuse two men of pointing a laser and firing at a search helicopter
- Officials say the tactical flight officer suffered possible eye injury from laser strikes
- Both suspects face wanton endangerment charges; one also charged with firearm discharge
Two Kentucky men have been charged with endangerment after allegedly pointing a laser and firing a gun at a police helicopter searching for a missing child, according to Kentucky State Police.
The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in Mays Lick, an unincorporated area of Mason County. A state police helicopter was searching for a missing 11-year-old child when the crew reported multiple laser “strikes” coming from a house in the 4100 block of U.S. 62.
At the time of the incident, state police were using a helicopter in the search for Addelyn Thornsberry, 11, according to state police spokesperson Sherry Bray. Thornsberry was found the next day.
According to KSP, the tactical flight officer’s eyes were possibly injured in the laser strikes.
Jason McKee, 49, of Mays Lick, and Donald Boone, 55, of Aberdeen, Ohio, were arrested at a home in the area that night and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer. McKee was also charged with first-degree wanton endangerment — discharge of firearm and laser or vision interference light directed at aircraft with disrupted travel, state police said.
Bray said the helicopter temporarily diverted from the search until McKee and Boone were apprehended.
Court documents say McKee admitted to firing a handgun and pointing a laser at the helicopter because he believed it was a drone. Investigators determined Boone fired an airsoft rifle toward the helicopter.
McKee and Boone were booked into the Mason County Detention Center. While being processed at the jail, staff found a meth pipe and blowtorch in Boone’s pocket, according to court documents.
Boone is additionally charged with buying or possessing drug paraphernalia, according to court records.
McKee’s bond is set at $100,000, while Boone’s bond is $50,000. Their cases have been sent to the Mason County grand jury after probable cause was found Nov. 10, according to court records.
State police said the FBI has been notified about the case for possible further charges stemming from the incident.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM.
