Last Updated on 1 week by Vijay Kumar
A routine warrant service in York County turned into one of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania law enforcement when 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth opened fire on police officers, killing three detectives and injuring two others before being fatally shot.
Matthew James Ruth, a resident of Hanover, York County, faced multiple charges including stalking, loitering at night, and criminal trespass, all tied to an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving his ex-girlfriend.
A day before the shooting, Ruth’s ex-girlfriend and her mother reported seeing a man in camouflage spying on their house with binoculars. A trail camera later confirmed the presence of Ruth, showing him with what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle.
On September 18, officers went to serve warrants at the ex-girlfriend’s residence. According to authorities, the front door was unlocked. As detectives entered, Ruth unleashed gunfire using an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a suppressor.
Three officers were killed instantly: Det. Sgt. Cody Becker (39), 16 years of service. Det. Mark Baker (53), 21 years of service, previously with Philadelphia PD. Det. Isaiah Emenheiser (43), 20 years of service. Two more officers were wounded in the attack but survived.
Investigators also discovered the family’s dog shot dead in the basement, adding to the brutality of the scene.
Following the ambush, law enforcement returned fire, and Ruth was killed during the exchange. Officials called it a “planned and deliberate ambush,” designed to maximize harm against officers.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.