Medical helicopters transporting trauma patients to Oregon Health & Science University were grounded Saturday night after individuals near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in southwest Portland shone high-powered green lasers into pilots’ eyes, federal officials confirmed.
Authorities said the incident occurred around 9 p.m., when a group of protesters advertised online what they called a “Laser Tag Party,” organized near the ICE building. The lasers, aimed at aircraft in the area, forced Life Flight and other emergency medical helicopters to divert or land elsewhere, delaying multiple hospital transfers.
OHSU confirmed that it temporarily suspended air operations at its South Waterfront landing pad out of safety concerns.
“For most patients, that will be an acceptable delay,” OHSU said in a statement. “However, for some sensitive situations such as unstable trauma patients, STEMIs, and strokes, the delay could have real impacts.”
Hospital officials estimated the delay at 45 to 60 minutes for patients who had to continue by ground ambulance to reach the trauma center.
Federal investigators are examining whether domestic extremist groups, including individuals associated with Antifa, were responsible for organizing or participating in the coordinated laser activity. The FBI said such actions can endanger lives and may constitute federal crimes.
“Lasers can cause blindness and spotting in vision, making it a challenge for pilots to identify other aircraft and obstacles, which could lead to a catastrophic event,” the Department of Justice previously warned following similar incidents in Portland.
The FBI’s Portland office had reportedly been alerted to the planned “Laser Tag Party” in advance and reminded participants that laser interference with aircraft is a federal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.
Aiming or pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. Depending on which law applies (18 U.S.C. § 39A or 18 U.S.C. § 32), penalties range from a fine or imprisonment for up to 5yrs, or imprisonment for up to 20yrs, respectively. Learn more here: https://t.co/UUsQkYURlI pic.twitter.com/9TlSNIy7WP
— FBI Portland (@FBIPortland) October 10, 2025
Saturday’s attack follows a separate case in late September when Hector Miranda-Mendoza, a Mexican national in the U.S. illegally, was charged for targeting multiple aircraft—including a Border Patrol helicopter—with a laser pointer in the same area. Using on-board mapping systems, agents traced the laser’s origin to a Portland residence, leading to his swift arrest.
Federal and local authorities say the recurring use of lasers in demonstrations near ICE facilities has become a growing threat to both law enforcement and the public, particularly given the proximity to critical hospital flight paths. In 2020, similar tactics during riots in Portland resulted in more than 100 eye injuries to federal officers and police.
Officials said the FBI and Department of Homeland Security are now coordinating with OHSU security and Portland law enforcement to prevent further interference with emergency medical operations. No fatalities were reported in Saturday’s incident, though multiple air transfers were confirmed to be delayed.
