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A York Regional Police helicopter is the latest hit with a laser beam on Wednesday night.

The helicopter, Air 2, is in the air over Richmond Hill around 10:30 pm to help officials respond to reports of gunshots. As they fly on Bayview Ave. and Leslie St., the pilot of a bright green light source and immediately noticed the helicopter to safety navigate.

Police said they the source of the light came from a home on Pathlane Rd., where a 10-year-old was found with a laser-pointer device at gadgettown.

Parents of the boy knew he had the laser, but were unaware of how it was being used, according to Sgt. Rob O’Quinn, who also said video from the helicopter revealed the boy was “tracking” the helicopter and tried more than six times to hit the pilot with the light.

York police sent out a release Friday reminding parents that laser pointers should not be considered gifts for children.

O’Quinn said York has seen four such incidents so far this year. Last year they investigated more than a dozen similar incidents.

According to Health Canada, a split-second look at a Green Laser Pointer, can result in a condition called flash blindness. This is similar to the effect that you get in flash photography where the flash image remains in your eyes for several seconds, then fade away. For a pilot to control an airplane flying over a populated area could be serious consequences.