EMB 170 pilot reported right hand window panel shattered during descent. Flight diverted and landed safely.

Narrative

I was the first officer on Aircraft X from ZZZ1-ZZZ. Our day originated in ZZZ heading down to ZZZ1. I flew the first flight down to ZZZ1 and I was the Pilot Monitoring on the way back to ZZZ. On our return flight to ZZZ; approximately 180 miles from the airport; we began our initial descent. As we started our initial descent; out of nowhere we heard a very loud 'bang.' Prior to this moment; the aircraft was operating normal in all parameters and we had no indication of any abnormalities ahead. As we heard the loud bang; I looked at our right hand window panel (first officers direct view) and saw it was completely shattered externally. We then proceeded to hear caution warning alarms with an EICAS MESSAGE of 'WINDOW 2 HEATER FAI' Immediately I told the captain we should start descending as we weren't able to determine the condition of the window visually. All we could tell at that time; is the whole window was severely cracked. The captain and I agreed on descending as well as immediately requesting priority handling. I as the pilot monitoring immediately got on the radio and advised ZZZ Center and requested priority handling. We kept a close eye on our pressurization and cabin altitude as we assessed the situation. The captain and I then ran the 'EMERGENCY DESCENT' QRC procedure and began an immediate descent. After running the QRC; we ran the QRH checklist for cracked windshield and as per the QRH determined it was externally cracked when physically touched; the Captain and I made a decision to land at the nearest suitable airport which was ZZZ2. We alerted the flight attendants and passengers of the situation and sent our dispatch a message via ACARS. We momentarily switched controls from Pilot monitoring and Pilot Flying from 10;000 feet to the approach phase and I then was the pilot flying; that way the captain can continue finishing necessary procedures such as communication with dispatch. I assisted in configuring the airplane for landing; and then we switched controls; and the captain landed the airplane in ZZZ2's runway XXR. We taxied safely to the gate and called our company and other standard procedures. This was truly a lesson on just how fast things can change in the airplane. At 30;000 feet; things went from normal; to a priority aircraft. I believe the captain and I handled the situation appropriately and we worked as hard as we could to keep our passengers and crew safe to the best of our abilities. I hope we can all learn from this situation as a pilot group and improve our skills and abilities to better understand and work through similar situations.