FLAGSTAFF, AZ — Two Arizona Department of Public Safety crew members died Wednesday evening when their helicopter crashed while providing air support during a gun battle between a gunman and police officers in Flagstaff.
UPDATE: On Friday, officials identified the pilot and paramedic trooper who died in the Flagstaff helicopter crash as Robert B. Skankey and Hunter R. Bennett.
Police say the incident began in a neighborhood north of Route 66 between Thompson Street and Mark Lane just after 8:30 p.m. when officers responded to a domestic violence call.
When authorities arrived on scene, they located a victim and were soon met with gunfire from an individual armed with a semi-automatic rifle from the back of the residence.
A total of three Flagstaff officers and one DPS employee returned gunfire over the next two hours, in what officials described as a "neighborhood under siege," with dozens of rounds being fired.
During a Thursday morning press conference, officials said the individual hopped from roof to roof as they fired at officers.
Watch the Thursday morning update from officials in the player below.
An AZDPS Ranger Helicopter crew was assisting the Flagstaff Police Department and Coconino County Sheriff's Office when the aircraft went down at 10:17 p.m., officials said.
According to officials, both the pilot and the paramedic trooper on board were killed in the crash. On Friday, DPS officials identified the pilot as Robert B. Skankey and the DPS paramedic trooper on board as Hunter R. Bennett.
Officers eventually used a stun gun on the suspect and shot him in the leg. He was then taken into custody at 10:20 p.m., officials said.
The man was identified as Terrell Storey and faces charges that include first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, first-degree burglary and disorderly conduct. Storey is being held on a $5 million cash bond.
No officers were injured during the shooting. The three Flagstaff PD officers are on administrative leave as per protocol, according to authorities. It is unclear if the DPS employee is also on administrative leave.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, four federal air crash investigators arrived in Flagstaff on Thursday. They will look into the cause of the helicopter crash and expect to issue a preliminary report within a month.
The photo below shows the fiery scene right after the DPS helicopter crash.
Aerial footage from the aftermath of the helicopter crash can be seen in the video player below.
Following the incident, police and government officials released statements on the deadly crash.
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett released the following statement:
“I am so proud of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department for their heroic actions last night. Their work to protect our community and detain an active shooter saved many lives.
Tragically, the lives of two Arizona Department of Public Safety officers who were assisting Flagstaff Police ended when their helicopter crashed. I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the families of these officers, DPS, and the entire law enforcement community for their loss. The City of Flagstaff stands ready to support you.”
Arizona Trooper's Fraternal Order of Police released the following statement on X:
With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of two @Arizona_DPS heroes who were killed late last night in a helicopter crash. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.#AZTroopers #LODD pic.twitter.com/xS7xTWEaJq
— Arizona Trooper’s FOP Lodge 32 (@AZ_FOP_32) February 5, 2026
This incident comes amid a string of shootings involving police across the Valley and state across a 24-hour period, including:
-75th Avenue and Thomas: A woman was taken to a hospital after a shooting involving Phoenix police officers near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road just before 4 p.m. on Thursday.
-I-17 and Indian School Road: Sources tell ABC15 three DPS troopers were hurt in a shooting just before 7:30 p.m. Thursday near I-17 and Indian School Road.
-SR-87 and Coolidge Avenue: Officers were involved in a shooting near a Coolidge police station around 7:45 p.m. Thursday when a person displayed a machete and refused to drop it.
-Arizona Ave and Riggs Road: No officers were injured after being involved in a shooting Thursday night shortly after 8:15 p.m.
This is a developing story. Stick with ABC15 and ABC15.com for the latest updates.
