Arizona authorities confirmed on Thursday (February 5) that a helicopter belonging to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) crashed accidentally while providing support for responding to an active shooting incident, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of the pilot and a police officer who also served as a medic.
The Bell 407 helicopter, known as the “Ranger,” was providing aerial tactical support to the Flagstaff Police Department and other law enforcement agencies at the time of the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the helicopter crashed near Flagstaff around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday (February 4) and subsequently caught fire. According to registration records, the helicopter was manufactured in 2004.
AZDPS spokesperson Officer Kameron Lee confirmed that both the pilot and the police medic on board the helicopter lost their lives. The official identities of the two individuals have not been disclosed at this time.
A chart displayed by local Arizona TV station KTVK-TV indicated that the crash site was located northeast of the shooting scene.
The location of the helicopter crash was in close proximity to an intense shootout between law enforcement and criminals. Prior to the helicopter crash, ground officers had engaged in a fierce firefight with a suspect involved in the shooting incident. Officer Lee noted that the helicopter crew was assisting in handling this active shooting event.
The suspect was injured during the exchange of gunfire but is not in critical condition, currently under arrest and receiving medical treatment. Apart from the suspect and the deceased helicopter crew members, no other individuals were reported injured at the shooting scene.
Authorities have initiated multiple investigations into this dual incident:
Aircraft Crash Investigation:
The FAA will assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating the helicopter crash.
Shooting Incident Investigation:
The Major Incident Division of the Arizona Department of Public Safety will lead the investigation into the shooting incident involving police officers.
The Arizona Air Rescue Unit is well-trained and specialized in high-risk missions, including mountain and water rescues.