An Arizona man has been formally indicted on two counts of first-degree felony murder and dozens of additional charges following a deadly helicopter crash that occurred during an intense rooftop shootout with law enforcement officers in Flagstaff.
Chaotic Standoff Leads to Tragic Crash
Terrell Storey, aged 50, engaged in a violent confrontation with police on the night of February 4th, firing a semiautomatic long rifle from multiple rooftops in a residential neighborhood. The standoff lasted over two hours, with Storey reportedly hopping between roofs while shooting at officers who had responded to an initial domestic violence call.
Helicopter Responding to Incident Crashes
As the situation escalated, a state helicopter responding to assist ground units crashed near the scene. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of trooper paramedic Hunter Bennett, 28, and pilot Robert Skankey, 61. Federal authorities are currently investigating the precise cause of the crash, and the indictment does not specify whether Storey fired directly at the aircraft.
Extensive Criminal Charges Filed
The indictment from Coconino County totals an astonishing 60 criminal counts. In addition to the two felony murder charges for the deaths of Bennett and Skankey, Storey faces numerous other allegations including:
- Aggravated assault against 25 law enforcement officers
- Burglary and disorderly conduct
- Endangerment of neighborhood residents
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker announced that Storey is anticipated to be arraigned on February 23rd, though he declined to comment further on specific case details. Storey remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds sustained during his arrest and is being held on a substantial $5 million bond.
Victims Remembered
Robert Skankey was a longtime Kingman resident who had served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Arizona Department of Public Safety in May 2021. He was married with four children. Hunter Bennett was an honors graduate of Arizona State University and the top graduate of his 2023 law enforcement academy class. He had recently transferred to an air rescue unit and had married his high school sweetheart just months before the tragic incident.
Community Impact and Official Response
Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly detailed that the confrontation began as a routine domestic violence response, escalating dramatically when Storey began firing from the rear of the residence. The helicopter crew had been performing standard support duties for ground officers when the crash occurred. In his statement, County Attorney Barker expressed that his office remains "committed to pursuing this case with the diligence and care it requires" while extending condolences to the families affected by this devastating incident.
