A deadly shootout in York County, Pennsylvania, has claimed the lives of three law enforcement officers and left two others injured, state officials confirmed Wednesday. The suspect, who police say fired on officers serving a warrant, was also killed in the incident.
State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris said the officers were in Codorus Township following up on a domestic investigation that began Tuesday.
“There are simply no words I can offer to assuage the grief that this community has experienced,” he said.
The two surviving officers were rushed to WellSpan York Hospital in critical but stable condition. Police did not immediately identify the suspect or the officers involved.
According to three sources familiar with the situation, the officers were serving a warrant when gunfire erupted. Residents described the scene as chaotic.
Dave Miller, who witnessed the event, told WGAL he had pulled over to let police pass when he heard a barrage of shots. “It was just continuous… lots of shots, more than what I could count,” he said.
The first 911 call came in at 2:10 p.m. from North Codorus Township, said Ted Czech of the York County Office of Emergency Management. Paris described the crime scene as large and active but emphasized that there is no further threat to the community.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called it “a tragic and devastating day” for York County and the state. He urged prayers for the families of the officers and praised their service. “Even in grief, these families expressed how proud they are of their loved ones who put on a uniform to keep us safe,” he said.
“This kind of violence isn’t OK,” Shapiro added. “We need to do better as a society. We need to help the people who think that picking up a gun is the answer to resolving disputes.”
Investigations into the shooting remain ongoing. Paris declined to release further details, citing the active nature of the case.
