'Neighborhood under siege:' DPS trooper, pilot killed in helicopter crash during Flagstaff shooting incident

Two Arizona Department of Public Safety crew members died Wednesday evening when their helicopter crashed while providing air support during an active shooter incident in Flagstaff.Police say the incident began in a neighborhood north of Route 66 between Thompson Street and Mark Lane just after 8:30 a.m. responding 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 in the incident 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. Their identities have not been released.The suspect was eventually taken into custody at 10:20 p.m. and is currently at the hospital receiving treatment for gunshot wound injuries.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.The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police says the paramedic trooper has been with DPS since 2022, and the pilot, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was hired in 2021.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:This is a developing story. Stick with ABC15 and ABC15.com for the latest updates.