Lori Wasko Obituary, Death – Authorities say a violent incident in rural Pennsylvania on Thursday left three people injured and two dead, after a man fatally shot his neighbor before launching an armed ambush on first responders. The suspect, identified as 61-year-old Carmine Faino, opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle, striking two state troopers and causing an emergency medical technician to crash his vehicle while trying to avoid the gunfire. Police later shot and killed Faino during the confrontation.
The ordeal began when 57-year-old Lori Wasko was gunned down outside her home near Thompson. Her boyfriend called 911 to report the shooting, prompting state police to respond. Officials have not released a motive for the attack but confirmed that Faino lived across the street, only a few hundred yards from Wasko.
When troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins arrived, Faino allegedly took up a tactical position and fired dozens of rounds, striking both officers despite their ballistic vests. Perechinsky, hit twice in the chest, managed to commandeer a passing tractor-trailer to block the road and protect motorists from the gunfire. According to State Police Col. Christopher Paris, the injured trooper was still focused on protecting others, ordering the driver to park the rig across the roadway to stop additional vehicles from entering the danger zone.
During the attack, Faino also fired at a police drone and sat beside a propane tank, raising fears he might attempt to trigger an explosion. He targeted an SUV driven by a responding emergency worker, forcing it off the road and injuring the driver. That victim was hospitalized for treatment.
Both troopers were given emergency aid at the scene. Perechinsky applied a tourniquet to Jenkins before additional officers rescued them. They were flown to hospitals and remained in stable condition with serious injuries. Col. Paris described them as “very lucky to be alive.”
Governor Josh Shapiro praised the troopers’ bravery, singling out Perechinsky for his decisive and selfless actions under fire, calling him a hero who “saved lives” through quick thinking and courage.
State police said Faino was armed with a rifle and refused repeated orders to surrender. The standoff ended when troopers fatally shot him. Investigators are now reviewing his background to determine what may have led to the attack.
The shootings occurred about five miles north of Thompson, roughly 163 miles from Philadelphia, in an area known for its quiet, rural character. Local resident Erika Mills, who lives less than a mile from the scene, said the events shattered the community’s sense of safety. “This is a very, very quiet town. There has never been anything comparable,” she remarked.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the small Pennsylvania town, where residents are grappling with the shock of sudden violence and mourning the loss of a neighbor while also recognizing the extraordinary heroism displayed by the responding officers.
