Three police officers were killed and two were wounded in a shooting in York County, Pennsylvania.
A devastating shooting in rural York County, Pennsylvania, has left three police officers dead and two others wounded in what Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called “an absolutely tragic and devastating day.” The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, also resulted in the death of the suspect, who was shot by police.
The shooting occurred in a rural area of North Codorus Township, approximately 115 miles west of Philadelphia, as officers were following up on a domestic-related investigation that had begun the previous day.
The tragedy is being described as one of the deadliest days for law enforcement in Pennsylvania in over a decade.
Emergency services received a 911 call around 2:10 p.m., reporting a “police incident.” The situation quickly escalated when the suspect opened fire on the five officers. Details remain scarce as authorities are still investigating the sequence of events.
The two wounded officers were transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris, visibly shaken, addressed the media, stating that “the grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it.” He confirmed that the shooter was dead and that the scene was still active as of Wednesday evening, with a “major case team” from the State Police and the York County District Attorney’s Office leading the investigation.
The small, close-knit community of North Codorus Township has been left in shock. Residents recounted hearing numerous gunshots, and a nearby school district issued a shelter-in-place order as a precaution.
Tributes and condolences have begun to pour in from police departments and officials across the state and nation.
Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday both rushed to the scene to be briefed and to meet with the families of the fallen and injured officers.
Shapiro, who also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, emphasized the need for society to do better, stating, “This kind of violence isn’t okay. We need to help the people who think picking up a gun is the answer.”
The shooting in York County is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting police officers across the country. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the violence against law enforcement “a scourge on our society” and confirmed that federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), are on the scene to assist local authorities.
The incident underscores the immense risks law enforcement officers face every day. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the names of the officers or the suspect, citing the need to notify all family members and to protect the integrity of the investigation.
The community and the state now wait for more details as they begin the difficult process of grieving for the lives lost.
