Police helicopter crashes during active shooter incident in Flagstaff, Arizona
A police helicopter crashed and caught fire near an active shooter incident in Flagstaff, Arizona, according to officials. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured in either the shooting or the helicopter crash.
Authorities said the helicopter crash occurred Wednesday night while police were responding to an officer-involved shooting in the Flagstaff area.
Flight tracking data identified the helicopter as tail number N56AZ, registered to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Officials have not said how many people were on board or their condition.
An earlier alert warned residents to avoid the Railroad Springs neighborhood and to shelter in place due to an active shooter incident, the alert was shared by the Page Police Department.
“We have been advised the Flagstaff shooting suspect is in custody, however, a police helicopter has crashed near the incident location,” the Page Police Department said in a statement. “Please keep the Flagstaff community and law enforcement in your thoughts and prayers.”
The circumstances leading to the helicopter crash were not immediately known. Shots were reportedly fired around the time of the crash, but police have not said whether gunfire was directed at the aircraft.
Video posted on social media shows the helicopter spinning out of control before striking the ground. The aircraft was reported to have caught immediately fire after crashing.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
