Three Pennsylvania Officers Killed, Two Injured in York County Shootout With Armed Suspect

First responders arrive at the scene of a shooting that claimed the lives of three law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania on Wednesday

What began as a routine attempt to serve a warrant in rural Pennsylvania turned into one of the deadliest days for law enforcement in the state this century when a gunman opened fire from nearby cornfields, killing three officers and wounding two more.

The violent exchange erupted around 2 p.m. Wednesday in North Codorus Township, a quiet farming community about 115 miles west of Philadelphia. Officers from the Northern York County Regional Police and the York County Sheriff’s Office had approached a farmhouse to serve an arrest warrant on a man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, who lived at the property.

Law enforcement officials said the suspect, dressed in camouflage, appeared to be lying in wait when officers arrived. He opened fire, fatally striking three officers before moving toward the house. Two others were hit, but one officer managed to return fire, killing the shooter. Authorities have not yet released the names of the officers or the suspect.

A long line of law enforcement vehicles are staged on the scene in North Codorus, Pennsylvania, where five people were shot

Witness Dave Miller, who was driving home at the time, recalled hearing a barrage of at least 30 gunshots and seeing officers on the ground. “My heart was pounding,” he said. “I never thought I’d see anything like that. It seemed like a war zone.”

Officials confirmed the two injured officers remain in critical but stable condition. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris described the incident as “an unbearable tragedy,” pledging a full investigation in partnership with the York County District Attorney’s Office. He said state police have also coordinated with the FBI, which, along with the ATF, is supporting local authorities.

People salute as a York County sheriff vehicle drives past during a procession Wednesday in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, after five police officers were shot, leaving three dead

Governor Josh Shapiro, who met with the families of the fallen officers, called the shooting “absolutely tragic and devastating,” adding: “We need to do better as a society. We need to help people who think picking up a gun is the answer.”

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday described the deaths as “unfathomable,” noting his long ties to York County. “The death of any public servant is an absolute tragedy,” he said.

In the aftermath, roads near the farmhouse were blocked off and the nearby Spring Grove School District briefly went into lockdown before lifting the order. By evening, a solemn procession of police and emergency vehicles carried the fallen officers as residents lined the roads, holding American flags and saluting in tribute.

According to FBI data, 37 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty so far this year. In 2024, 64 officer deaths nationwide were connected to crimes, underscoring the persistent dangers faced by police.