A Pennsylvania State Police vehicle departs the scene where five police officers were shot on the 1800 block of Haar Road, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in North Codorus Township. Three officers passed away from their injuries, and two were critically wounded, according to officials. © Harrison Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(New York, NY) – Flags are at half-staff across Pennsylvania after three police officers were shot and killed, while two others were wounded, while serving a warrant in a rural area of York County. It happened at a farm in North Codorus Township.
Original reports said that the shooter committed suicide at some point during the shootout, but now authorities say police actually shot and killed that suspect.
Now, details are emerging as to what led up to the gunfire. On Tuesday night, a woman who lived at the farm in question contacted police and said a man was using binoculars to peer into her home. The woman also further alleged that a man wearing camouflage gear had been spotted in their driveway — as seen on a trail cam installed earlier this summer.
The woman and her mom told cops someone set their car on fire back on August 20th. The younger woman also said she was certain the man she’d seen on camera was Matthew Ruth — her ex boyfriend. In an affidavit that led to the probable cause warrant, cops explained they saw Ruth with an AR-15 style rifle slung over his shoulder in trail camera images.
Cops apparently searched the property for Ruth on Tuesday but did not find him. Then, an arrest warrant was issued for stalking, prowling at night, criminal trespass, and loitering. It remains to be seen if Ruth was the person killed in the shootout. Police plan to provide an update 3:00 pm on Thursday.
