Two law enforcement officers died after an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed during an operation to respond to an active shooter situation.
According to ABC News, the Ranger helicopter crew was deployed to assist Flagstaff Police and other law enforcement agencies on Wednesday evening, February 4, 2026. Department spokesman Sergeant Kameron Lee confirmed that the fatal accident occurred during the operation.
“Unfortunately, during the incident the helicopter crashed, causing the death of the pilot and the police officer, who was also serving as a paramedic,” Lee said.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Bell 407 helicopter crashed at around 22:15 p.m. near the city of Flagstaff. A fire was also reported after the crash. The aircraft was manufactured in 2004.
The area where the helicopter crashed is located northeast of the site where an operation was underway against a shooting suspect.
Meanwhile, the suspect in the shooting suffered minor gunshot wounds and was arrested by police. According to authorities, no other people were injured in the incident.
The FAA announced that it will cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating the causes of the accident. Federal authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
