It is with profound sadness that the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) announces the loss of two members of our Aviation Bureau who were killed in the line of duty earlier this week.

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 10:17 p.m., an AZDPS Bell 407 helicopter, Ranger 56, crashed while responding to an active shooter incident at the request of the Flagstaff Police Department. Both crew members on board were fatally injured.

After notification of next of kin, AZDPS is releasing the names of the fallen:

• Pilot Robert Bruce Skankey, Badge #11056
• State Trooper/Paramedic Hunter R. Bennett, Badge #11215

Pilot Robert Bruce Skankey

Pilot Skankey joined the AZDPS as a Rotary Wing Pilot on May 8, 2021, and was assigned to Western Air Rescue. On June 8, 2024, he was promoted to Aviation Supervisor, remaining at Western Air Rescue. Pilot Skankey served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), joining in 1988 and retiring in July 2010. During his military career, Pilot Skankey attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served as a Pilot in Command, Presidential Support Pilot, and an Operations/Safety Officer. He was highly decorated during his career.

Following his military retirement, Pilot Skankey flew for Air Methods Corporation in Kingman as an Emergency Medical Service Pilot. Pilot Skankey had flown over 5,100 hours prior to joining the AZDPS. In 2016, he earned a Master of Administration, with an emphasis in Leadership, from Northern Arizona University. While serving with the USMC, Pilot Skankey completed an Aviation Safety Officer’s Course and graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School. Pilot Skankey attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology in 1988.

Pilot Skankey was born on May 2, 1964. Pilot Skankey married Tjiske Skankey, and together they proudly raised their son Robert C. (Melanie), son Bryce (Tonya), daughter Kirstin (Joshua), and son Samuel.

State Trooper/Paramedic Hunter R. Bennett

State Trooper/Paramedic Bennett joined the AZDPS on June 11, 2022, as a cadet state trooper. On January 13, 2023, after graduating from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy (Class #558), he was assigned to work nights in the Highway Patrol Division, Metro Patrol Bureau District 20. Trooper Bennett graduated as the top overall cadet, earning the highest scores in both Academics and Physical Fitness.

In April 2024, Trooper Bennett transferred to Western Air Rescue in Kingman to serve as a Trooper/Paramedic. He served a temporary duty assignment as a Recruiter in the Human Resources Bureau’s Sworn Recruiting Unit in August 2025 before being designated as a fully qualified AZDPS Air Rescue Paramedic.

State Trooper/Paramedic Bennett was an Arizona Department of Health Services and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certified Paramedic. Before joining the AZDPS, he worked in the 911 system on an ambulance for American Medical Response. State Trooper/Paramedic Bennett was born on February 1, 1998, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Jeff and Renee Bennett. He has one brother, Devon Bennett. He was in the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, where he double majored in Business and Criminal Justice and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2020. He also minored in Homeland Security.

On October 21, 2024, State Trooper/Paramedic Bennett married the love of his life, Breanna, in Hawaii. They were high school sweethearts and had been together for 12 years.

The Department respectfully asks that the families of Pilot Skankey and State Trooper/Paramedic Bennett be afforded privacy as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation. AZDPS is cooperating with investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board and will release verified information when it is available.

A recording of the press conference that took place on Feb. 6, 2026, is available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/mFddYVh5v2M?si=5_yfR_n_pA-MmkSi

Update - February 10, 2026

In the days following this tragedy, AZDPS has received numerous inquiries from community members wishing to make donations in honor of our fallen and in support of their families. In response to these requests, the following verified 501(c)(3) organizations are accepting contributions:

• Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 32 Foundation - https://fop32foundation.org/
• Arizona State Troopers Association Charities – Ranger 56 Fund https://aztroopers.org/ranger56

The Arizona State Troopers Association and ABC15 will also host a donation phone bank today from 4–7 p.m. at 1‑855‑522‑1515 to support the families.

The Department is grateful for the continued compassion and support shown by the community during this profoundly difficult time.

Update on Feb. 7, 2026, at 12 p.m. MST – AZDPS and Phoenix Police Identify Suspect Booked on 18 Counts of Attempted Murder After Shootout with Troopers

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at approximately 7:12 p.m., Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) SWAT personnel served a high-risk search warrant in the area of 2435 W. Indian School Road in Phoenix. The suspect, 51-year-old Darrelle Lazane Bell, was wanted on a felony grand jury warrant for weapons misconduct and drug possession.

As SWAT personnel prepared to enter the residence, two individuals outside alerted Bell to the presence of law enforcement. Bell began shooting in the direction of troopers, who returned fire. Bell received non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released from the hospital.

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Bell was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on the following charges:

• Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, 18 counts - A.R.S. § 13-1105(A)(3)
• Possession of Weapon by a Prohibited Person, 3 counts - A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(4)
• Discharging a Firearm in City Limits, 3 counts - A.R.S. § 13-3107 (A)
• Resisting Arrest, 1 count - A.R.S. § 13-2508(A)(2)

Bell was also booked on the original outstanding warrant. He is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.

During the exchange of gunfire, an AZDPS SWAT sergeant sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and a wound to his arm. Three other SWAT personnel were injured by shrapnel. All four were treated and released for their injuries.

The AZDPS extends its sincere gratitude to the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the emergency medical personnel who responded to assist our troopers at the scene.

The Phoenix Police Department will lead the investigation into the shooting.

No further information is available at this time. 

Suspect Booking Number: G234832

Preliminary Information - Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 9:15 p.m.

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, just after 7 p.m., Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) SWAT troopers were serving a high-risk search warrant in the area of 2435 W. Indian School Rd. when a trooper-involved shooting occurred. At least one trooper was injured in the shooting and has been transported to a hospital. The suspect, who was also injured in the shooting, is in custody and was transported to a hospital. 

Due to the recent events in Flagstaff, PIOs will not be responding to the scene.

There will not be any further updates tonight. 

Incident ID# I26007530. 

Update on March 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. MST - Statement Regarding NTSB Preliminary Report 

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is aware of, and has reviewed, the preliminary investigative report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the tragic accident involving our Ranger 56 helicopter in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026. This tragedy resulted in the deaths of one of our aviation pilots, Robert Skankey, and a trooper paramedic, Hunter Bennett.

While the preliminary report has been released, this is still an active investigation. It would be irresponsible to draw any conclusions about what occurred that day.

AZDPS remains committed to transparency as verified information becomes available. Safety is, and always will be, our highest priority.

Our prayers continue to be with the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy, and we ask you to keep them in your prayers as well.

Update on Feb. 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. MST – Shooting Suspect Identified

The suspect involved in the shooting that took place in Flagstaff on Feb. 4, 2026, has been identified as 50-year-old Terrell Storey. Storey sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting and remains in the hospital in the custody of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. He will be booked into the Coconino County Jail upon release from the hospital.

Storey faces the following charges:

• First Degree Murder, 2 counts - A.R.S. § 13-1105(A)(2)
• Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, 10 counts - A.R.S. § 13-1204(A)2)
• First Degree Burglary, 3 counts - A.R.S. § 13-1508(A)
• Disorderly Conduct Domestic Violence, 1 count - A.R.S. §13-2904(A)1)

Storey is being held on a $5 million cash-only bond.

For additional information related to charging, please contact the Coconino County Attorney’s Office.

Update at 5 p.m. MST - Press Conference in Phoenix on Feb. 6

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) will hold a press conference tomorrow, Friday, February 6, 2026, at 10 a.m., to provide an update on the February 4 crash of an AZDPS helicopter that resulted in the deaths of two department personnel. Colonel Glover will deliver remarks and take questions from the media.

The briefing will take place in front of AZDPS Headquarters:

2102 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85009

Media parking will be available in the visitor lot on the southwest corner of N. 21st Avenue and W. Encanto Blvd. No RSVP is required.

The press conference will also be livestreamed on our website: azdps.gov/live

For any questions, please email: [email protected]

Update at 9 a.m. MST - Press Conference in Flagstaff on Feb. 5

Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the AZDPS, will hold a news conference at the Flagstaff Police Department at 9:30 a.m. MST today, February 5, 2026.

Colonel Glover will be providing a statement and will not be taking questions.

Flagstaff Chief of Police Sean Connolly will also address the media and the community.

Address:

Flagstaff Police Department

911 E. Sawmill Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Members of the media are asked to gather in the police department lobby, where they will be escorted to the news conference location.

Preliminary Information at 3:35 a.m. MST:

On the evening of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Ranger helicopter crew responded to assist the Flagstaff Police Department and other law enforcement agencies with an active shooter incident in the Flagstaff area, providing tactical air support. Tragically, during the incident, the helicopter crashed, killing both the pilot and the trooper/paramedic on board. Their identities will not be released at this time.

Prior to the crash, law enforcement officers were involved in a shooting with the active shooting suspect. The suspect, who suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds, has been taken into custody. No other injuries were sustained during the incident. The AZDPS Major Incident Division will be taking the lead in the investigation of the shooting. AZDPS will also be working jointly with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board on the helicopter crash investigation. Further details will be released later.

Incident #I26007320

Just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper assigned to the Canine District stopped the driver of a red Mitsubishi on eastbound Interstate 40 in Flagstaff for civil traffic violations.

During the stop, the trooper observed indicators consistent with criminal activity. A narcotics detection canine alerted to the vehicle, and a subsequent search revealed approximately 23 pounds of cocaine. The street value of the cocaine seized is approximately $178,000.

The driver, 49-year-old Rodolfo Vega of Topeka, Kansas, was arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail on charges of possession and transportation of a narcotic drug for sale.

Operation Desert Guardian (ODG) is a statewide, intelligence-driven task force that unites local, state, Tribal, and federal partners to dismantle dangerous criminal networks operating in Arizona.

This latest significant seizure underscores the vigilance and determination of AZDPS troopers to disrupt drug trafficking operations and protect Arizona communities from dangerous drugs and violent crime.