A police helicopter crashed on Wednesday evening in Flagstaff, Arizona, close to where officers had been involved in a shooting incident, according to investigators.
The crash occurred in a neighbourhood situated just north of Route 66 in the southwestern US state.
Authorities confirmed no police officers sustained injuries during the shooting and the suspect has been taken into custody.
However, Flagstaff police declined to confirm whether any lives were lost in the Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crash.
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The circumstances leading to the initial police shooting remain unclear and officers have not disclosed the suspect's condition.
A resident, Amanda Brewer, provided a detailed account of the evening's events.
She reported hearing three gunshots followed by two more at approximately 8.40pm, prompting her to contact emergency services.
Police then arrived on the ground within minutes.
A local captured the moment of the crash
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Subsequently, Ms Brewer heard between 15 and 20 additional shots being fired.
Shortly after 10pm, she became aware of the DPS helicopter flying above her property, followed by further gunfire.
"You could hear the blades going," she said. "Then there was a very large crash; it shook the house. It was startling."
Ms Brewer described a substantial blaze erupting in the woodland behind her residence following the crash. She noted that gunfire continued even after the helicopter went down.
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The area was plunged into darkness after the apparent crash
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At around 10:15pm, authorities issued instructions via social media directing residents of the Flagstaff neighbourhood to remain inside their homes.
Police have urged members of the public to stay away from the affected area whilst investigations continue.
Earlier in the evening, the Flagstaff Police Department had warned people to avoid the neighbourhood north of West Route 66, between South Thompson Street and North Mark Lane, as officers responded to the unfolding situation, according to Arizona News.
Footage from the scene showed a white light in the sky, presumably produced by the searchlight of the aircraft, which illuminated a house.
The light could then be seen falling from the sky at speed.
After disappearing behind a treeline, the area was plunged into darkness.
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