Who was Matthew James Ruth and why did he target his ex-girlfriend? Inside the Pennsylvania police shooting tragedy

York County, Pennsylvania, is reeling after a violent ambush claimed the lives of three law enforcement officers and left two others critically injured in what investigators are calling one of the deadliest days for police in the state in over a decade.

The tragedy unfolded Wednesday afternoon in North Codorus Township, about 115 miles west of Philadelphia, when officers went to a residence tied to an ongoing domestic violence investigation. Authorities say 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, armed with an AR-15-style rifle fitted with a suppressor, opened fire as soon as officers entered the unlocked home.

The Fallen Officers

Officials confirmed that the victims were members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department:

• Sgt. Cody Becker

• Detective Mark Baker

• Detective Isaiah Emenheiser

A fourth detective from the same department and a York County Sheriff’s deputy were also shot and rushed to a nearby hospital. Both remain in stable condition.

The Suspect’s Trail of Violence

The ambush stemmed from a domestic case involving Ruth’s former girlfriend. Just a day earlier, her mother reported spotting him in camouflage near the property, peering into the home with binoculars. Trail cameras later captured him armed with a rifle. His pickup truck was found abandoned nearby.

Court records show Ruth was already facing charges of stalking, trespassing, and prowling at night in connection with his behavior. Investigators also learned that the ex-girlfriend’s vehicle had been set ablaze in August, though she hesitated to formally link Ruth to the arson.

On Wednesday, detectives returned to the property after securing misdemeanor warrants. When they stepped inside the house shortly after 2 p.m., Ruth unleashed a barrage of gunfire. The attack lasted less than two minutes. He was eventually killed during an exchange of fire near the road, shot by a detective who also rendered aid to the fallen officers.

Inside the residence, police later discovered shell casings from the ambush and the body of the ex-girlfriend’s mother’s Labrador, which Ruth had killed.

“A Murderous Rampage”

York County District Attorney Tim Barker described the episode as a deliberate act fueled by domestic violence.

“All actions by law enforcement were not only justified, they were necessary,” Barker said at a Thursday briefing. “This was a murderous rampage. If the suspect had not been stopped, we cannot imagine where it would have ended.”

Governor Josh Shapiro called the loss “absolutely tragic and devastating,” adding that the entire Commonwealth grieves alongside York County. “We need to do better as a society,” Shapiro said. “We must help those who believe violence is the answer to their disputes.”

A Community in Mourning

The deaths have sent shockwaves across the region. American flags lined the streets of Spring Grove on Wednesday evening as residents stood in silence during a solemn procession escorting the fallen officers to the coroner’s office. Neighboring police departments have stepped in to handle calls while Northern York County personnel mourn.

“It is a dark and heartbreaking day,” the department said in a statement. “We are devastated by the loss of three of our own and continue to pray for the recovery of our colleague still fighting in the hospital.”

The FBI, ATF, Pennsylvania State Police, and federal officials have joined local investigators to piece together the full scope of Ruth’s actions.

For York County, this is the second fatal officer shooting in just a few months, underscoring the dangers police face while responding to domestic disputes.

As one neighbor put it, staring down a road now crowded with police vehicles and barricades: “It’s strange walking here today, knowing what happened. It’s something this community will never forget.”

FAQ Section

Q1: What happened in York County, Pennsylvania?
A gunman ambushed police officers responding to a domestic violence call in North Codorus Township, leaving three officers dead and two injured.

Q2: Who were the officers killed in the Pennsylvania ambush?
The fallen were Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, all from the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Q3: Who was the shooter in the York County incident?
Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, who was killed in a shootout with police.

Q4: Why were officers at the home?
They were investigating reports that Ruth had stalked his ex-girlfriend, trespassed on her property, and was armed with a rifle.

Q5: Did the suspect have a criminal history?
Court documents show Ruth was previously charged with stalking, trespassing, and prowling at night, but had no felony convictions.

Q6: What weapon did Ruth use in the ambush?
Investigators say he fired multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a suppressor.

Q7: How is the community responding?
Residents held vigils and lined the streets with American flags during a solemn procession for the fallen officers, while police agencies across the region expressed grief and solidarity.

Q8: Who is investigating the case?
The FBI, ATF, Pennsylvania State Police, and York County District Attorney’s office are jointly investigating the ambush.