By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed Wednesday night while responding to an active shooter incident in Flagstaff, killing the pilot and a trooper-paramedic on board.
• The helicopter was assisting Flagstaff Police Department and other law enforcement agencies during a shootout with a suspect who fired at officers from rooftops.
• The suspect, who suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, was taken into custody around the time of the crash.
• The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed late Wednesday while responding to an active shooter situation, killing the pilot and a trooper serving as a paramedic, authorities said.
AP
The Bell 407 aircraft had been providing aerial support to the Flagstaff Police Department and other law enforcement agencies during a prolonged confrontation when it went down near Flagstaff about 10:15 p.m., according to state officials.
The active shooter incident began earlier in the evening after a domestic violence call escalated and a suspect armed with a semiautomatic rifle opened fire on officers and others, Flagstaff police said. During the multi-hour engagement, the suspect was wounded and taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities have not released the identities of the pilot or the trooper-paramedic. No other injuries related to the helicopter crash have been reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will assist in investigating the cause of the crash, and state Department of Public Safety officials are reviewing the circumstances as part of that process.