A prosecutor revealed on Thursday that a suspected stalker armed with a rifle laid in wait at his ex-girlfriend’s residence in the rural farmlands of southern Pennsylvania, launching a deadly ambush on police officers who arrived to apprehend him. The tragic incident unfolded around 2:10 p.m. Wednesday when law enforcement officers discovered the unlocked door at the house, despite the ex-girlfriend and her mother having secured it before departing for safety reasons.
Upon entering, the officers were met with gunshots from the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, who was equipped with an AR-style rifle fitted with a suppressor, according to York County District Attorney Tim Barker. Ruth opened fire on the officers at the door, resulting in the deaths of three of them. Subsequently, a gunfight ensued outside between Ruth and two officers, during which Ruth wounded a sheriff’s deputy before being fatally shot by the police.
The fallen officers, Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, were all members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department, lauded by Chief Dave Lash for their professionalism, dedication, and bravery. While one injured officer belonged to the same department, the affiliation of the second hospitalized officer remains undisclosed.
In a distressing revelation, investigators discovered that the ex-girlfriend’s dog had been fatally shot in the basement. The tragic events began unfolding the previous night when police, responding to reports of Ruth’s presence on the property, returned the next day with warrants for his arrest after he had evaded them.
As neighbouring departments pitched in to assist the grieving agency, a community mourned the loss of the officers in a tragic turn of events that underscored the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel. The incident marked one of the deadliest days for law enforcement in the state, evoking memories of past tragedies and prompting calls for societal change to prevent such senseless violence.
The somber scene in south-central Pennsylvania, near Maryland, witnessed a procession of police and emergency vehicles as community members paid their respects, highlighting the camaraderie and support extended to law enforcement in times of tragedy. The rural setting, marred by the violent confrontation, stood as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in policing, with residents grappling with the aftermath of the devastating loss.