Two individuals have lost their lives in a helicopter accident close to the site of a police shooting incident.
In Flagstaff, located in northern Arizona, a law enforcement helicopter crashed on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of the pilot and a trooper-paramedic onboard.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that their Ranger helicopter crew was summoned to aid Flagstaff police and other law enforcement agencies in response to an active shooter situation north of Historic Route 66, between Thomson Street and Mark Lane.
DPS Sergeant Kameron Lee stated, “Unfortunately, the helicopter crashed during the incident, leading to the fatalities of both the pilot and the trooper/paramedic aboard.” The victims’ identities have not been disclosed. The helicopter went down around 10:15 pm, followed by a subsequent fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Authorities confirmed that no officers were harmed in the shooting, and the suspect is now in custody after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries from being shot.
A local resident named Amanda Brewer recounted calling the police upon hearing multiple gunshots around 8:40 pm MST. She mentioned that law enforcement arrived promptly, and later she heard a series of gunshots, followed by the sound of the DPS helicopter flying overhead around 10 pm.
Describing the moment, Ms. Brewer mentioned, “The sound of the helicopter blades was audible, followed by a loud crash that shook the house, causing quite a scare.” She added that a fire erupted in the nearby forest after the crash, accompanied by additional gunshots.
Flagstaff Police Department issued a social media message at 10:15 pm, labeling the situation as a “critical incident” and advising residents to remain indoors.
DPS announced its collaboration with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board to probe the helicopter crash, while its Major Incident Division will handle the investigation into the police shooting.