Law enforcement named a 24-year-old PA native as the gunman behind the shooting that left three dead and two seriously wounded.
Police identified Matthew James Ruth as the suspect accused of murdering 3 police officers and leaving two others in critical condition in a shooting Wednesday. The shots were fired shortly after 2 p.m. in North Codorus Township in York County. Authorities said officers were present to serve a warrant at a farmhouse when Ruth, hiding in a nearby cornfield, opened fire, striking all three multiple times. Police say the investigation into Ruth and his motives are ongoing.
While the two surviving officers are currently in critical condition and were severely wounded, Gov. Shapiro confirmed on Thursday that both are expected to recover. The other three officers died at the scene, according to the Northern York County Regional Police Department. The department also confirmed law enforcement shot and killed Ruth shortly after the altercation.
“This is an absolutely tragic and devastating day for York County and for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We grieve for the loss of life and three precious souls who served this county, served this Commonwealth, and served this country. We continue to pray for the full recovery of those who are dealing with their wounds,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference on Wednesday. The governor also confirmed he spoke to the families of the victims and provided health updates on the surviving officers.
Law enforcement released an affidavit that said police were responding with a warrant to a call from a woman who reported a strange man on her property, allegedly staring into her home with binoculars. The woman told police that she thought the man wore camouflage and arrived in a black truck. After one officer investigated the property but did not find evidence of the man, the other four officers returned with a warrant to search the farmhouse.
“She advised at the time she suspected her ex-boyfriend was the culprit, but she wasn’t sure and requested the matter not be investigated,” the affidavit says. “The male is looking through a scope device with it pointed towards the residence. At that time the daughter identified the male in the photo as her ex-boyfriend Matthew Ruth” the affidavit states. “The daughter advised they only dated for a short period of time and that Ruth had never been to her house, nor had he ever been invited there.”
Police said they were not at liberty to disclose all of the information regarding the officers’ initial investigation at the property, or the moments leading up to the fatal shooting from Ruth in the cornfield. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris said the crime scene was active for some time after the shooting before police apprehended and returned fire at the suspect. Paris also ensured the families of the victims that the department “would not rest” until officials conducted a full investigation.
Police visited Ruth’s home in Hanover, Pennsylvania on Thursday evening, leaving around midnight with large black bags presumably containing evidence acquired from the residence. Ruth’s neighbor said he was a very private person, and she rarely spoke to him but said he used to work on Boy Scout fundraisers. Authorities have not released additional information, or a motive, from Ruth.
