A police helicopter crashed in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Wednesday night during an investigation into an officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred near the scene of the shooting, which involved local law enforcement, according to authorities in nearby Page, Arizona.
The suspect involved in the shooting has been apprehended, as confirmed by Page police. Fortunately, no officers sustained injuries during the incident, as reported by KPHO-TV, the Phoenix affiliate.
Details surrounding the helicopter’s occupants and their conditions remain unclear. The aircraft was identified as belonging to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Local resident Amanda Brewer recounted hearing a series of gunshots—three followed by two others—around 8:40 p.m. She promptly contacted 911, with officers arriving shortly thereafter. Brewer reported hearing between 15 and 20 additional shots before the helicopter flew overhead just after 10 p.m., followed by more gunfire.
Brewer described the helicopter’s presence, stating, “You could hear the blades going,” before a significant crash shook her home. She noted that a large fire erupted in the forest behind her residence, with more gunshots ringing out after the helicopter went down.
In response to the situation, Flagstaff police issued a shelter-in-place order for a nearby neighborhood around 10:15 p.m. through a social media announcement. So far, authorities have not disclosed the circumstances that led to the police shooting or the condition of the suspect involved.
