Law enforcement confirmed that 24-year-old, Matthew J. Ruth, of Hanover shot and killed three officers Wednesday afternoon, and left two more critically wounded.
YORK, Pa. — Three police officers were killed and two others left critically wounded in a shooting in North Codorus Township in York County, Pa. on Wednesday.
The five officers who were shot were following up on a domestic-related investigation that began on Tuesday. Two other officers were left in critical condition and the gunman died at the scene.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, York County District Attorney Tim Barker identified the three fallen officers as:
- Detective Sgt. Cody Becker
- Detective Mark Baker
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser
Barker said that a fourth Northern York County Regional Police Department detective and a deputy sheriff from the York County Sheriff’s office were shot and left critically injured.
Here’s 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 York County District Attorney Tim Barker.
On Sept. 16, a woman reportedly observed Ruth stalking the house in a nearby cornfield, and notified authorities, according to a criminal complaint obtained by FOX43. Barker confirmed that the woman who called was the mother of Ruth’s ex-girlfriend.
She told police that Ruth was clad in camouflage-colored clothing and was using binoculars to look through the window of her house. Ruth reportedly had an AR-15 rifle 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.
During a follow-up visit to the ex-girlfriend’s house on Wednesday, Ruth reportedly opened fire on officers.
Timeline of the incident, according to officials:
- Northern York County Regional Police Department Detectives Becker, Baker and Emenheiser attempted to execute a search warrant at Ruth’s residence around noon on Wednesday. Ruth was not at home, and the search of the residence was completed by 1:23 p.m.
- Five Nothern York County Regional detectives then traveled to the 1800 block of Haar Road, to the home of Ruth’s reported ex-girlfriend and her mother. They arrived on scene around 2:02 p.m.
Followed by Baker, Becker and a fourth detective, Emenheiser opened the door to the residence at 2:08 p.m. The fifth detective and a deputy sheriff from the York County Sheriff’s Department remained outside observing the perimeter.
- With the door open, Ruth — who was inside — reportedly fired multiple rounds from an AR-15 styled rifle with a suppressor. All four detectives were immediately struck and went down.
- Ruth then reportedly turned his attention to the fifth detective and deputy sheriff, who were in the process of positioning themselves to return fire.
- The Nothern York County Regional detective returned fire with his own rifle. Meanwhile, Ruth is said to have struck the deputy sheriff and his vehicle.
- Police said Ruth then ran toward the vehicles near the roadway, at which point both the detective and deputy sheriff were firing at him.
- A final exchange of gunfire ended with Ruth being killed.
- The detective immediately rushed toward the house to render aid. Emenheiser, Baker and Becker were found to be non-responsive. He then ran over to the deputy sheriff and began rendering aid.
- At the same time, the detective called for backup from other law enforcement.
Police said that officers arrived at the front door at 2:08 p.m. and that all shooting had stopped just over two minutes later.
- Another Nothern York County Regional detective was the first to respond to the scene, arriving at 2:14 p.m.
- At the request of the injured detective, the reinforcing detective placed Ruth — whose condition had not been confirmed — in handcuffs.
- Numerous other law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel were then dispatched to the scene to assist.
- FOX43 received confirmation at 5:20 that the York County Coroner was called to the scene.
- At 6:15 p.m., Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro held a briefing at WellSpan York Hospital with Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris. It was at that time that officials confirmed that three officers from the Northern York County Regional Police Department had died in the police incident. He also confirmed that two other officers were in critical, but stable condition.
- Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night, a procession including dozens of police and emergency vehicles escorted the bodies of the fallen officers to the York County Coroner’s Office.
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.
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.
During the briefing, officials said that investigators found Ruth’s ex-girlfriend’s family dog — a black Labrador — dead in the basement. Police alleged that Ruth killed the dog by shooting it.
Barker said that they are still investigating the shooter’s motive and declined to speculate on “the full profile of the actor.”
“There is one motive though that is clear for everything, and that is the hateful scourge of domestic violence,” Barker said. “That is what brought us here. That is what brought law enforcement here.”
He added that law enforcement’s involvement is responsible for saving the lives of Ruth’s alleged ex-girlfriend and her mother. “I can conclude by all reasonable inferences from all information without speculation — had they arrived home and not Northern Regional Police Department officers, they would have been killed immediately,” Barker said.
Barker expressed his gratitude for the detective who he said fired the last shot and rendered aid to the deputy sheriff. “He saved many lives that day,” Barker said. Had the shooter not been killed, Barker said “who knows where this would have stopped.”
State Police said that there is no ongoing threat to the community, and that the scene remains active as officials investigate.