Deadly Attack During Warrant Service
Three police officers were killed and two others were wounded while serving a warrant on Wednesday afternoon in York County, Pennsylvania. The shooting happened around 2:10 p.m. in North Codorus Township, a rural farming community about 115 miles west of Philadelphia.
The officers were following up on a “domestic-related” investigation that began the previous day. They went to a farm property to serve a warrant when a gunman opened fire on them. The two surviving officers were in critical but stable condition at WellSpan York Hospital, officials said.
The Suspect and His Criminal History
The shooter has been identified as Matthew James Ruth, a 24-year-old from Hanover, Pennsylvania. Court documents show Ruth was facing charges of stalking, loitering and prowling at nighttime and criminal trespass on the day of the shooting.
Ruth had been stalking his ex-girlfriend and her family. The day before the shooting, a man believed to be Ruth had been spotted on a trail camera standing in the driveway of the property where the ex-girlfriend lived with her mother.
“The male is looking through a scope device with it pointed towards the residence,” said an investigator who described a still image taken by the camera. The man “also had an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest while looking into the residence,” according to court documents.
Ruth had also allegedly set his ex-girlfriend’s truck on fire in August. The woman’s daughter told investigators she suspected her ex-boyfriend did it. A fire investigator later confirmed that the truck had been intentionally set on fire.
What Happened During the Shooting
When officers returned to the property Wednesday afternoon, Ruth was waiting for them. Police were unable to find Ruth on Tuesday night after searching for several hours. Ruth appeared to be lying in wait when officers arrived. The shooter was wearing camouflage, according to law enforcement officials.
Dave Miller, who lives across the street from the shooting scene, watched as officers approached the barn area of a farm. Then he heard “many, many gunshots.” Miller said he heard about 30 shots. “It was just continuous,” he said. “Lots of shots, more than what I could count.”
Miller told CNN:
“It seemed like a war zone, sounded like a war zone.”
Three officers were left dead outside, and the shooter moved on to the farmhouse, where two more officers were shot and wounded. One of the injured officers was able to return fire and kill the shooter, officials said.
A Growing Problem for Law Enforcement
This tragedy highlights a disturbing trend. FBI statistics released last month showed that the number of reported assaults on law enforcement officers in 2024 had reached a 10-year high. This was one of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania law enforcement this century.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the incident a tragic reminder of the dangers law enforcement face. “This kind of violence is not OK. We need to do better as a society,” Shapiro said. “We need to help the people who think that picking up a gun, picking up a weapon is the answer to resolving disputes.”
This wasn’t the first tragedy in York County this year. Almost seven months ago, another police officer in York County, West York Patrolman Andrew W. Duarte, was killed as he was responding to a hospital siege in which a gunman took hostages. Two major attacks on police in one county in less than a year shows the scale of the problem.
Community Shows Support
The community responded with an outpouring of support for the fallen officers. Dozens of police and emergency vehicles with their lights flashing formed a procession Wednesday evening for the three officers killed as people lined the roads holding American flags and saluting as it passed.
Police departments across the region offered their condolences on social media and people began leaving flowers at the headquarters of the Northern York Regional Police Department. The Northern York County Regional Police Department said three of the slain officers worked for their department.
What Happens Next
York County District Attorney Tim Barker and Pennsylvania State Police will hold a news conference Thursday at 3 p.m. to provide an update on the case. The investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the FBI and other federal agencies.
The names of the fallen officers have not yet been released. The two surviving officers remain in critical but stable condition at the hospital. Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting.
For those who believe in limited government and strong law enforcement, this tragedy raises important questions about how to balance public safety with individual rights. It also highlights the daily risks that police officers take to protect their communities.
Supporting law enforcement doesn’t mean giving up constitutional principles. It means ensuring that those who serve and protect have the resources and backing they need to do their jobs safely. It also means holding criminals accountable for their actions and making sure the justice system works for law-abiding citizens.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
