An official identified the suspect as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth to the Associated Press.

YORK, Pa. — On Wednesday afternoon, three police officers were killed, and two others were injured in a shooting in North Codorus Township, York County.

The officers were killed Wednesday while following up on a domestic-related investigation that began on Tuesday. Two more officers were wounded in the shooting and police killed the gunman.


What we know about the shooter:

The man who fatally shot three Pennsylvania officers and injured two before he was killed by police has been identified as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, according to a law enforcement official.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associate Press because they weren’t authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, a woman observed Ruth stalking the house in a cornfield close by, and notified authorities, according to a criminal complaint obtained by FOX43.

The woman reported the incident to the Northern York County Regional Police Department to obtain an arrest warrant and a restraining order. 

Officials attempted to serve the shooter with the warrant on Tuesday night but were unable to find him, law enforcement said.

Officers with the NYCRPD returned to the house to do a follow-up visit on Wednesday, which was when the shooter opened fire from a nearby cornfield. Three officers from the NYCRPD were killed. 

The shooter then allegedly began moving toward the house where he exchanged gunfire with three York County Sheriff’s. Two of the York County Sheriffs were struck and injured, but one returned fire and killed the shooter, according to officials.

Police documents said that the shooter allegedly wore camouflage, and it is not yet clear to investigators whether the shooter waited in the cornfield for the ex-girlfriend or the arresting officers.



What we know about the incident: 

Officers responded to the scene in the 1800 block of Haar Road at about 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 17 to follow up on a domestic incident that began on Tuesday. According to CNN, police were ambushed by the shooter. 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 TownshipAt 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.


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.

An overview of the investigations is expected to be provided later in the day on Thursday. 

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.