Arizona DPS Helicopter Crashes During Flagstaff Shooting Response
A Bell 407 crashed near Flagstaff about 10:15 p.m. Feb. 4, 2026, killing the pilot and a trooper-paramedic, officials said.
Washington ExaminerArizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crash kills pilot and trooper during shooter response
HuffPostArizona Public Safety Helicopter Crashes During Shooter Response, Killing Pilot And Trooper
USA TODAYHelicopter crash kills 2 responding to officer-involved shooting
CBS News2 killed in police helicopter crash at active shooting scene in Arizona
Overview
Sgt. Kameron Lee said in a statement that an Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Bell 407 helicopter crashed near Flagstaff at about 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2026, killing the pilot and a trooper-paramedic whose names have not been released.
Sgt. Kameron Lee said the Ranger crew was providing tactical air support to the Flagstaff Police Department during an active-shooter response that prompted a mobile phone emergency alert and drew dozens of police vehicles to the city's west side.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will assist the National Transportation Safety Board in the crash investigation, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety said its Major Incident Division will lead the related officer-involved shooting probe.
Authorities said the suspect suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and was taken into custody, and officials reported that no other people were injured at the scene.
An email seeking information was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board early Thursday, and officials said the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the FAA and the NTSB are conducting ongoing investigations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this story neutrally: they rely on official statements (Flagstaff police, AZDPS, FAA/NTSB), include an eyewitness account for vivid detail, and avoid evaluative language in narration. Coverage focuses on factual sequence—crash, casualties, investigation and shelter-in-place—without speculative attribution or selective omission.
FAQ
A Bell 407 Ranger helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety crashed near Flagstaff at about 10:15 p.m. on February 4, 2026.
The pilot and a trooper-paramedic on board were killed; their names have not been released.
The Ranger helicopter crew was providing tactical air support to the Flagstaff Police Department during an active shooter response.
The suspect suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and was taken into custody; no other injuries were reported.
The AZDPS Major Incident Division is leading the officer-involved shooting investigation, and AZDPS is working with the FAA and NTSB on the helicopter crash investigation.
