An Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) helicopter tragically crashed on Wednesday night, resulting in the deaths of both individuals onboard. The helicopter was actively assisting the Flagstaff Police Department in handling a critical shooter situation in the vicinity at the time of the accident, as outlined in a statement from AZDPS.
The victims, identified as the pilot and a trooper-paramedic, lost their lives in the crash. The authorities have chosen not to disclose their identities at this juncture. The precise cause of the helicopter’s crash remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether the shooting incident played a role in the mishap. When questioned about the conditions surrounding the shooting and subsequent crash, AZDPS did not provide additional details.
Prior to the helicopter’s downfall, law enforcement officials reported being engaged in a gunfight with the suspect involved in the shooting. According to the AZDPS statement, the shooting suspect is now in custody and has sustained non-fatal gunshot injuries, while no other individuals were harmed during the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the downed helicopter was a Bell 407 model and that it crashed near Flagstaff at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday night. In response to this tragic event, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation to uncover the details of the crash. They will receive support from both the AZDPS major incident division and the FAA.
Rebecca Cohen is a reporter focused on breaking news for NBC News Digital, with contributions from Josh Cradduck and Jay Blackman.
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