Flagstaff Incident: Man Indicted on 60 Felony Counts Following Helicopter Crash
In a dramatic sequence of events, a Flagstaff man has been indicted on 60 felony counts after a confrontation led to a helicopter crash, claiming the lives of two law enforcement officers. The Coconino County grand jury has pressed charges against Terrell Storey, including two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Department of Public Safety pilot Robert Skankey and trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett.
The tragic incident unfolded on February 4 in a residential neighborhood, during which a shootout occurred, resulting in the helicopter crash. Under Arizona law, individuals can be charged with murder if a death occurs while committing certain other criminal acts.
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker expressed condolences in a press release, stating, “Our hearts remain with the families of Hunter Bennett and Robert Skankey, and with all the families impacted by this incident. We are committed to pursuing this case with the diligence and care it requires.”
The altercation began as Flagstaff police responded to a domestic violence call, which escalated into a two-hour standoff. Officers reportedly exchanged gunfire with Storey, who allegedly fired from rooftops in the area.
Alongside the murder charges, Storey faces over two dozen aggravated assault charges involving local residents and 25 law enforcement officers. Additional charges include first-degree residential burglary, weapons violations, endangerment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
Initially, a criminal complaint with 50 counts was filed by the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, later leading to a 60-count indictment by the grand jury. This indictment marks the beginning of proceedings in Coconino County Superior Court.
Storey, who was injured during the incident, remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held on a $5 million bond and is represented by the Coconino County Public Defender’s Office.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the helicopter crash, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. A final report on the probable cause and contributing factors is anticipated in one to two years, according to spokesperson Peter Knudson.
The intense standoff began when officers speaking with a victim at the front of the residence were fired upon by Storey from the rear of the property using a semiautomatic rifle. He purportedly moved between rooftops while exchanging gunfire with officers.
The helicopter crew was aiding officers on the ground when the crash occurred. Flight data indicates the helicopter was hovering approximately 1,000 feet over a hilltop before the crash.
Skankey, a Kingman resident and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, joined the Department of Public Safety in May 2021 and was married with four children. Bennett, an Arizona State University honors graduate and top graduate of the 2023 Arizona Law Enforcement Academy, transferred to an air rescue unit in 2024 and recently married his high school sweetheart.
Barker reiterated, “Our hearts remain with the families of Hunter Bennett and Robert Skankey, and with all the families impacted by this incident.”
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