NORTH CODORUS, Pa. (AP) — The man responsible for the deadly ambush that left three Pennsylvania police officers dead and two others wounded has been identified as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, according to a law enforcement official. The official, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, confirmed Ruth’s involvement in the attack, which ended with him being killed by police.
The violence erupted Wednesday while officers were following up on a domestic-related investigation that began the previous day. What started as a routine call turned into one of the deadliest days for law enforcement in Pennsylvania in decades. Officers responding to the scene encountered Ruth, who opened fire, killing three and critically injuring two more before police fatally shot him.
The attack took place in North Codorus Township, a rural community about 115 miles west of Philadelphia near the Maryland border. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with resident Dirk Anderson saying he heard “quite a few” from his home across the street. He later saw a large emergency response, including a helicopter and dozens of police vehicles that blocked off roads near barns, a goat farm, and fields of corn and soybeans.
Authorities said the two surviving officers are in critical but stable condition at York Hospital. However, officials have not released the names of the officers involved or the police department they served with, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The scale of the tragedy deeply shook the community. Hours after the shooting, local residents lined the streets, waving American flags and saluting as a procession of police and emergency vehicles escorted the fallen officers to the coroner’s office. Flowers and tributes have since been placed at the Northern York Regional Police Department headquarters.
State leaders quickly responded with messages of grief and outrage. Governor Josh Shapiro, speaking at a press conference, described the incident as a devastating loss of life and offered condolences to the families of the slain officers. He emphasized the bravery of law enforcement officers who put themselves in danger to protect others. Attorney General Pamela Bondi echoed his sentiments, condemning the attack and calling violence against police “a scourge on our society.”
The tragedy recalled previous deadly encounters for Pennsylvania law enforcement. In 2009, three Pittsburgh police officers were ambushed and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance by a man wearing a bulletproof vest. More recently, in February of this year, another officer in the region was killed during a hospital hostage situation that ended in a shootout.
For the families of the fallen, grief is mingled with pride. Governor Shapiro noted that their loved ones gave their lives in service to their communities. Their sacrifice, he said, would not be forgotten.
As the investigation continues, police are working to piece together Ruth’s motives and the chain of events that led to the deadly shootout. For now, the focus remains on supporting the grieving families, caring for the wounded officers, and honoring the memory of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
