It was probably slant range and anyone can get an approach plate, a nav/com radio, and with a little trig work figure out where to stand and point as the plane tracks over the final approach fix (there's your 3000 foot altitude at the FAF). The laser light would probably hit the upper panel, which would be distinctive to the pilots because the upper panel on nearly all transport category airplanes is "dark," and therefore they would notice it. For those of you who have an AOPA membership click on this link and you'll see how disturbing this is: Runway 21.
My bad Runway 2L ILS.