A man in the Bronx, who was arrested for allegedly pointing a laser at pilots flying planes in and out of LaGuardia, has denied that he did so.
The New York Times reported that according to his attorney, Frank Egan, 36, "vehemently denies" pointing the laser at pilots’ eyes as they were trying to fly aircrafts at La Guardia Airport.
Egan is accused of pointing a laser beam into the cockpits of planes taking off and landing at the airport on Monday night.
NBC 4 New York noted that when the light was allegedly pointed, the pilots said everything turned green. A handful of pilots and two NYPD officers, who attempted to investigate after noticing the light, sustained eye injuries.
"[It] actually blinded us for a split second," said Officer Royston Charles.
Police said they were able to track down the source, which led them to Egan’s apartment and inside allegedly found a laser pointer.
Authorities also said that the suspect initially admitted to using the pointer, but later said he was actually sleeping at the time.
Egan was charged with assault on a police officer, felony assault, menacing a police officer, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.
Laser pointers are extremely dangerous if pointed in someone’s eyes and can cause damage to the retina.