Arizona Man Indicted on Murder Charges After Fatal State Helicopter Crash

Terrell Storey faces 60 criminal counts, including two felony murder charges, for the deaths of a trooper and pilot during a shootout with police.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A grand jury has indicted an Arizona man on two counts of first-degree felony murder and dozens of other charges stemming from a state police helicopter crash that killed the pilot and a trooper during a shootout between the defendant and law enforcement officers in Flagstaff.

Why it matters

The tragic incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement personnel face when responding to violent confrontations, as well as the need for thorough investigations into the causes of such fatal incidents involving both ground and air support.

The details

Terrell Storey, 50, is accused of firing on officers from multiple rooftops in a Flagstaff residential neighborhood over almost two hours on the night of February 4. Trooper paramedic Hunter Bennett, 28, and pilot Robert Skankey, 61, were killed when the helicopter they were in crashed during the incident. The indictment does not specify whether Storey fired directly at the helicopter, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation by federal authorities.

  • The incident occurred on the night of February 4, 2026.
  • Storey is scheduled to be arraigned on February 23, 2026.

The players

Terrell Storey

A 50-year-old Arizona man who has been indicted on two counts of first-degree felony murder and dozens of other charges related to the fatal state police helicopter crash.

Hunter Bennett

A 28-year-old trooper paramedic who was killed in the helicopter crash.

Robert Skankey

A 61-year-old pilot who was killed in the helicopter crash.

Ammon Barker

The Coconino County Attorney who announced the indictment against Storey.

Sean Connolly

The Flagstaff Police Chief who provided details about the initial confrontation that led to the helicopter crash.

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What they’re saying

“Our hearts remain with the families of Hunter Bennett and Robert Skankey, and with all the families impacted by this incident.”

— Ammon Barker, Coconino County Attorney

What’s next

The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation by federal authorities.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the risks and dangers that law enforcement personnel face when responding to violent confrontations, and the need for thorough investigations to determine the precise causes of such fatal incidents involving both ground and air support.