An Arizona man has been indicted on two counts of first-degree felony murder and dozens of other charges following a deadly helicopter crash that occurred during a shootout with police. Terrell Storey, 50, allegedly opened fire on officers from multiple rooftops in a Flagstaff neighborhood on the night of February 4, leading to a standoff lasting over two hours.
During the incident, a state helicopter responding to the shooting crashed, killing trooper paramedic Hunter Bennett, 28, and pilot Robert Skankey, 61. The indictment does not specify whether Storey fired at the helicopter with the semiautomatic long rifle he is accused of using. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by federal authorities.
Storey was arrested and subsequently hospitalised for gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening. He is being held on a $5 million bond and is represented by the Coconino County Public Defender’s Office. The indictment includes 60 criminal counts, with victims named as 25 law enforcement officers and residents of the area.
The confrontation began when officers responded to a domestic violence call. According to Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly, as officers spoke with the victim, Storey shot at them from the back of the residence with a semiautomatic rifle. A protracted gunbattle ensued, with the suspect moving from roof to roof while shooting.
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker announced the indictment on Friday, stating that Storey is expected to be arraigned on February 23. Barker expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, saying, 'Our hearts remain with the families of Hunter Bennett and Robert Skankey, and with all the families impacted by this incident.'
