Gunman who stalked ex-girlfriend kills three Pennsylvania officers in York County, authorities say
Matthew James Ruth, 24, died in a shootout with responding officers after a two-minute exchange; the incident prompted lockdowns and drew attention to mental health resources.
A man identified by authorities as Matthew James Ruth, 24, opened fire Wednesday afternoon on officers with the Northern York County Regional Police, killing three and injuring at least one other before he was fatally shot by responding officers.
Investigators said the attack followed a separate incident in which Ruth is believed to have stalked his ex-girlfriend, possibly wearing camouflage gear and binoculars as she reported the behavior to police after her home was surveilled. She later said the suspect had set her truck on fire on Aug. 20, prompting her to install a trail camera that captured him in the same outfit. The encounter with police came as authorities attempted to locate him and serve a warrant.
Three Northern York County Regional Police officers were killed: Officer Mark Baker, Officer Cody Becker and Officer Isaiah Emenheiser. A fourth officer and a sheriff's deputy were hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to authorities.
According to the district attorney, the deadly exchange lasted about two minutes. Emenheiser was the first to approach the front door, followed by the other officers, before Ruth opened fire repeatedly. The gunfight continued for a short time, and Ruth was fatally wounded when officers returned fire.
The surviving officer and the sheriff's deputy remained in critical but stable condition as investigators continued to process the scene, which spanned a rural area with more than 30 police vehicles blocking roads near a barn, a goat farm and adjacent soybean and corn fields.
Investigators said Ruth had been charged earlier on Wednesday with stalking, loitering and prowling at nighttime and criminal trespass, according to court records. The ex-girlfriend who reported the stalking told authorities they had not dated for a long time and that she had never invited him to her mother's home, according to the district attorney.
The incident prompted temporary lockdowns in the Spring Grove School District and at local hospitals. School officials stressed that the lockdown was not related to students or school operations.
The Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia said it was monitoring the incident in a now-deleted post and that the alert was precautionary. A spokesperson said officials had no further information at the time and offered no additional comment.
In remarks Wednesday night, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the violence and said the state must do more to address mental health resources. 'We can do better as a society,' Shapiro said, offering condolences to the fallen officers and their families and noting that the memory of the officers should spur constructive action.
Authorities urged residents to avoid the area and stay tuned for official updates as the investigation continues. This remains a developing story with additional details expected to emerge as law enforcement reviews surveillance footage, court records and other evidence related to the case.