FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — A pilot and trooper-paramedic have died after a law enforcement helicopter crashed Wednesday night near the scene of an officer-involved shootout in Flagstaff.
The tragic incident began with an officer-involved shooting in an area north of Historic Route 66 between Thompson Street and Mark Lane.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) said its Ranger Helicopter crew was called to help Flagstaff Police and other law enforcement with the active shooter incident and acted as air support.
During the response, the DPS helicopter crashed, killing the pilot and the trooper-paramedic who were on board. DPS has not released their identities, and no information is available on what led to the crash.
The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police said Thursday morning that the trooper-paramedic joined DPS in June 2022 and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. They said the pilot, a 10-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was who was hired in May 2021 and was important in supporting DPS operations.
The suspect in the officer-involved shooting incident was shot, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, and taken into custody. That person’s identity has also not been released.
No one else was hurt in this response, DPS said.
A neighborhood “under siege”
At about 8:30 p.m., Flagstaff police responded to the neighborhood on reports of a domestic violence incident in a home, Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly said in a press conference Thursday morning.
Officers arrived and spoke with an unhurt woman who was the victim of the reported domestic violence when a man, described by Connolly as a “career criminal,” opened fire with a semiautomatic long rifle on officers and the woman.
“This neighborhood was under siege last night,” Connolly said.
Officers and the suspect, who has not yet been identified, exchanged “dozens and dozens” of rounds as the man allegedly hopped from roof to roof, taking vantage points to fire at law enforcement.
Three Flagstaff police officers, each with three to eight years on the force, fired during the incident. One DPS employee with 3 1/2 years of service also fired. As is standard procedure, all were placed on administrative leave.
At about 10:20 p.m., police took the man into custody and transported him to Flagstaff Medical Center for his injuries. He has not been identified by authorities.
The man was put into custody at about the same time the Bell 407 helicopter crashed, followed by a fire, the FAA said in a statement. A search of the registration number showed the helicopter was manufactured in 2004.
Amanda Brewer, who lives in the area, said she heard three gunshots followed by two gunshots around 8:40 p.m. and then called 911. She said officers on the ground arrived within minutes.
She said she then heard between 15 and 20 gunshots.
Brewer said she could hear the DPS helicopter above her house just after 10 p.m. and more gunshots after that.
“You could hear the blades going,” she said. “Then there was a very large crash; it shook the house. It was startling.”
Brewer said there was quite a big fire in the forest behind her house. She added that she heard more gunshots after the crash.
The Major Incident Division of DPS will take over an investigation into the officer-involved shooting. DPS said it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the helicopter crash.
“This is a devastating moment for the DPS family, the FOP, and our state’s law enforcement community,” said Michael Hunt, President of FOP Lodge 32. “Our fallen trooper served with honor and courage, answering the call to protect others. Both the paramedic, and the pilot, a military veteran, made the ultimate sacrifice while supporting the mission. Their loss is profound, and our hearts are with their families, friends, and colleagues.”
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett posted on social media her appreciation for the officers and expressed condolences to DPS for the loss of its crew.
“I am so proud of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department for their heroic actions last night. Their work to protect our community and detain an active shooter saved many lives,” Mayor Daggett said. “Tragically, the lives of two Arizona Department of Public Safety officers who were assisting Flagstaff Police ended when their helicopter crashed. I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the families of these officers, DPS, and the entire law enforcement community for their loss. The City of Flagstaff stands ready to support you.”
Gov. Katie Hobbs also posted to social media, sharing similar sentiments.
“My heart is heavy after the tragic Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crash in Flagstaff that took the lives of two dedicated crew members while assisting officers, Hobbs said. ”Their bravery will never be forgotten. We stand with their families, loved ones, and DPS colleagues.”
This is the 11th officer-involved shooting reported in Arizona in 2026.
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