Three Officers Killed, Two Wounded in York County Warrant Shooting; Scanner Audio Captures Chaos

Three Pennsylvania police officers were killed and two others were critically wounded Wednesday afternoon while serving a warrant in York County, authorities said. The unidentified gunman was killed when police returned fire, ending the immediate threat. The incident, which unfolded in North Codorus Township, prompted a broad search and a large-scale law enforcement response as investigators followed up on an investigation that had begun the day before.

Newly released police scanner audio captured the moments of the attack, including dispatch calls that indicated officers were under extreme duress. The recordings described officers down and casualties among responders, with some updates noting injuries that ranged from life-threatening to serious. One portion of the audio referred to an officer with critical injuries, while other communications indicated that officers initially planned air transport but soon shifted to ground transport. In the chaotic exchanges, authorities confirmed that five officers were shot in total and that the suspect was killed after police returned fire.

The shooting prompted a broad enforcement operation, with more than 30 police vehicles blocking roads surrounding a rural area bordered by a barn, a goat farm and soybean and corn fields. Authorities reported that schools in the Spring Grove School District and hospitals in York County were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution, though the district stressed there was no direct threat to students or schools.

A local man has been charged in relation to allegedly stalking a resident at the home where the police officers were killed; it was not clear whether that individual had any involvement in the deadly shooting. As the investigation unfolded Wednesday night, federal and state agencies joined the scene. The FBI and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were present, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing that federal authorities were assisting. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency was monitoring the situation and underscored a message that violence must stop.

Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the violence and urged a broader societal commitment to mental health, saying, “We can do better when it comes to mental health.” He offered condolences for the three fallen officers and expressed hope that something constructive could emerge from their memories. Lawmakers and officials, including Congressman Scott Perry and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, voiced their support for responders and called for unity in the face of the tragedy.

Investigators from multiple agencies continued to piece together the timeline and motive as officers secured the area and collected evidence. Authorities urged residents to follow law enforcement direction and to stay away from the investigation site while the search for additional threats continued. No motive or identity of the gunman has been publicly released, and officials stressed that the investigation remains ongoing as investigators review surveillance footage, call logs, and other records to determine how the confrontation unfolded and what precipitated the deadly exchange.