Arizona police helicopter crashes in Flagstaff response, killing pilot and paramedic [VIDEO]

Many are saying the Helicopter was shot down by the Mexican drug cartels.

Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Pilot and Paramedic

A police helicopter crashed in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Wednesday night while responding to an active shooter situation, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and a trooper-paramedic aboard. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) confirmed the tragedy, noting that the victims’ identities have not been released. This incident has sparked investigations into both the crash and the related shooting event.

Role of the Helicopter in the Shooting Response

The AZDPS Ranger helicopter was deployed to offer tactical air support to the Flagstaff Police Department and other agencies during the active shooter incident. According to AZDPS spokesperson Sgt. Kameron Lee, the aircraft was assisting ground operations when it went down. Prior to the crash, officers on the scene had engaged in gunfire with the suspect, escalating the high-stakes situation.

Suspect Apprehended with Non-Fatal Injuries

The shooting suspect was injured in the exchange of gunfire but survived and was subsequently taken into custody. Authorities have withheld the suspect’s identity and details surrounding the motivations or circumstances of the shooting. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported from the ground-level confrontation at the scene.

Ongoing Investigations into Shooting and Crash

The AZDPS Major Incident Division is leading the probe into the officer-involved shooting, while a joint investigation with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine the helicopter crash. No additional information has been made available at this time, as officials work to uncover the full details of both events.