Liputan6.com, Jakarta A tragic shooting incident rocked York County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday afternoon, September 17, 2025.
Matthew James Ruth, a 24-year-old man, was identified as the primary suspect in this horrific incident.
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He killed three police officers and wounded two others as they attempted to arrest him.
The bloody incident happened at a farmhouse in North Codorus Township.
Police officers were on duty to serve an arrest warrant for Matthew James Ruth on charges of stalking and other offenses.
However, the arrest attempt resulted in a deadly shootout that claimed the lives of the law enforcement officers.
District Attorney Barker said he knew the three fallen officers well and took a moment to celebrate them. He called them "mission-oriented."
"You kept the faith, you ran the race, you fought more than a good fight, you fought the critical fight for us," said Barker, his voice breaking with emotion.
"Job well done, mission well served and we will love you forever and all eternity."
Matthew James Ruth: Identity of the Perpetrator and Background of the Case
Matthew James Ruth, 24, became the focus of attention in a shooting incident in Pennsylvania.
Despite having no prior criminal record, Ruth was wanted by authorities on a series of serious charges, as reported by USA Today.
These charges included stalking, nighttime prowling, and trespassing against his ex-girlfriend.
The investigation revealed that Ruth's ex-girlfriend had previously reported her pickup truck being set on fire in August.
Further evidence emerged from trail camera footage showing Matthew James Ruth outside his ex-girlfriend's property.
In the footage, Ruth was seen carrying an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a scope.
This discovery indicated that Ruth had armed himself and may have been planning something larger.
How the Tragic Shooting Happened
The chronology of the incident began the night before the shooting, when the mother of Matthew James Ruth's ex-girlfriend saw a man in camouflage peering into the house with binoculars.
Police officers immediately responded to the report and arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
However, Matthew James Ruth managed to escape from the area before being arrested.
On Wednesday afternoon, September 17, officers returned to the house to execute an arrest warrant for Matthew James Ruth.
Unexpectedly, Ruth had hidden inside his ex-girlfriend's house and set up an ambush.
When officers entered the unlocked front door, they were immediately met with gunfire.
Matthew James Ruth used an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a silencer in the attack and fired several rounds at the four officers at the door, killing three of them instantly.
A fierce gunfight ensued between Matthew James Ruth and the two officers outside the house, leading to Ruth's death by police.
Investigators later found Ruth's ex-girlfriend's dog also shot dead in the basement of the house.
Victims and Motive of the Shooting Incident
The shooting incident carried out by Matthew James Ruth killed three dedicated police officers.
They were Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, 39, with 16 years of service; Detective Mark Baker, 53, with 21 years of service; and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, 43, with 20 years of service.
All three were members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department.
In addition to the fatalities, two other officers were seriously injured in the shootout.
One of the injured was a detective with the Northern York County Regional Police Department, and the other was a deputy with the York County Sheriff's Office.
Both are reported to be in stable condition after receiving intensive medical treatment at the hospital.
"There is one motive that is clear for everything, and that is the hateful scourge of domestic violence," Barker said.
He added that the officers involved in the incident saved the lives of the shooter’s ex-girlfriend and mother, indicating that he would have shot them instead.
"Had they arrived home and not Northern Regional Police Department officers, they would have been killed immediately," Barker said.