Flagstaff, Arizona, ee. Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter who provided service to help police officers after reports of a shooting crashed, killing both the pilot and an officer who was a paramedic on board, authorities reported.
The Ranger helicopter crew responded to assist Flagstaff police and other law enforcement agencies Wednesday night, police Sergeant Kameron Lee said in a statement.
“Tragically, during the incident, the helicopter crashed, killing both the pilot and the officer/paramedic on board,” Lee said.
The names of the agent and pilot have not been released.
DPS helicopter crashed near a shooting scene in Flagstaff last night.
Suspect in custody. No officers hurt in the shooting. Shelter-in-place lifted.
Crash happened after initial shots around 8:40 p.m., more around 9:15 and 10 p.m.
No word yet on what caused the chopper to go… pic.twitter.com/HL8wOLBCZM— Traciebliss (@peace4bliss) February 5, 2026
Helicopter crashes near Flagstaff
He Bell 407 helicopter crashed near Flagstaff around 10:15 p.m. and caused a fire, detailed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement. A search of the registration number showed that the helicopter was manufactured in 2004.
The collapse occurred on the west side of the city, a few miles from Route 66 and within sight of a neighborhood. Before that, an emergency alert was sent to cell phones warning of an armed man in the area and urging the population to stay away. Still, people gathered near a gas station to watch as dozens of police vehicles filled the streets.
#BREAKING #FLAGSTAFF #THE Earlier tonight Reports of a helicopter crash are coming out of Flagstaff it was possibly one owned by AZ DPS with a tail number of N56AZ
S/O: @AZ_Intel_ for tipping me off pic.twitter.com/2rhAa36cZg— USA Incident Tracker (@incidnt_tracker) February 5, 2026
The FAA reported that it will attend the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the investigation of the incident. An email requesting information was sent to the NTSB on Thursday morning.
The Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit She is trained for various high-risk situations, including mountain and water rescues.
The mayor of Flagstaff, Becky Daggettand members of Arizona’s congressional delegation expressed sympathy for the families of the pilot and agent.
PRAYERS FROM INDY for our Sisters and Brothers in ARIZONA
⚫️ They are mourning the Tragic Deaths of 2 DPS Officers after a Helicopter Crash
🔵 Both were providing tactical air support to other officers during an Active Shooting Attack in Flagstaff (AZ) #Tragic #PrayForPolice pic.twitter.com/O338qTox3w
— Rick Snyder (@RickFOP86) February 5, 2026
“Tragic news. Please pray for their families and everyone involved,” said the federal congressman Eli Cranewhose district includes Flagstaff.
“Heartbreaking news from northern Arizona this morning, and a grim reminder of the dangers facing law enforcement,” the federal lawmaker wrote Greg Stanton. “Praying for the loved ones of these officers and for the entire Arizona Department of Public Safety.”
The suspect in the shooting suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and was taken into custody, Lee said. No one else was injured.
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