An official identified the suspect as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth to the Associated Press.
YORK, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police and other officials are scheduled to deliver a public update at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. The news conference can be watched live above, on WPMT FOX43, or by streaming FOX43 for free via the FOX43+ smart TV app, as well as on the FOX43.com website and mobile app.
Three police officers were killed and two others left critically wounded in a shooting in North Codorus Township, York County on Wednesday.
The five officers who were shot were engaged in a domestic-related investigation that started on Tuesday. Two of the officers remain in critical condition, and the gunman was killed by police at the scene.
FOX43 is working on getting more information about the fallen and wounded officers.
Here’s what we know about the shooter
Police have identified the man who fatally shot three Pennsylvania officers and wounded two others before police killed him as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, according to York County District Attorney Tim Barker.
The Associate Press named Ruth on Thursday, referencing a law enforcement official who opted to remain anonymous due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and their lack of authorization to discuss it.
On Tuesday, September 16, a woman noticed Ruth lurking around the house from a nearby cornfield and alerted authorities, based on a criminal complaint acquired by FOX43. Barker verified that the woman who made the call was the mother of Ruth’s ex-girlfriend.
She reported to police that Ruth was dressed in camouflage attire and was using binoculars to peer through her house window. Ruth was said to have an AR-15 rifle equipped with a suppressor.
The incident was referred to the Northern York County Regional Police Department, who obtained an arrest warrant and a restraining order. Officials attempted to serve the Ruth with the warrant on Tuesday night but were unable to find him, Barker said.
Officers with the NYCRPD returned to the house to do a follow-up visit on Wednesday, which was when the shooter opened fire.
Police documents said that the shooter allegedly wore camouflage, and it is not yet clear to investigators whether the shooter was waiting to ambush the ex-girlfriend or the arresting officers.
PSP and D.A. Investigation:
The Pennsylvania State Police and the York County District Attorney’s Office announced they are continuing the investigation into the shooting death of the three officers and the wounding of two others.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker was joined by Attorney General Dave Sunday and other law enforcement officials at a press conference Thursday afternoon. Details shared during that briefing about the fallen and wounded officers can be found here.
PSP stated the investigation spans multiple locations throughout York County.
State Police ensured there is no ongoing threat to their safety as a result of the incident.
What we know about the incident:
- Officers responded to the scene in the 1800 block of Haar Road around noon on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 17 to follow up on a domestic incident that began on Tuesday. Detectives Becker, Baker and Emenheiser were attempting to execute a search warrant.
- Shortly after the shooting occurred, the Spring Grove School District entered a shelter-in-place while several roads in the area closed for law enforcement to respond to the scene.
- At about 4:20 p.m., it was announced by a representative from WellSpan Hospital in York that two people were being treated for injuries sustained in the “police incident.”
- The hospital observed “enhanced security protocols” and went on lockdown shortly after the incident occurred and once patients arrived at the facility.
- The York County Commissioners released a statement at 5 p.m. also calling the situation a “police incident,” and stated numerous emergency responders were at the scene in North Codorus Township
- At around 5:20 p.m., it was confirmed that the York County Coroner’s officer was called to the scene.
- Beginning at 6:15 p.m., Gov. Josh Shapiro held a briefing at WellSpan York Hospital with Pa. State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris, where we learned that three officers from the Northern York County Regional Police Department died in the police incident.
- Paris stated that two officers are in critical, but stable condition following the shooting.
- The scene remains active as emergency personnel continue the investigation.
- United States Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the ATF and FBI are on the ground in York County providing assistance to “local and state partners” following the shooting.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen officers.
