A shooting in York County left three law enforcement officers dead and two others wounded. The suspect was also killed, according to the state police commissioner.
The incident unfolded as officers were reportedly serving a warrant. They came under fire during the operation, a detail confirmed by three sources familiar with the matter.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris expressed the profound sorrow felt by the community, stating, “There are simply no words I can offer to assuage the grief that this community has experienced.”
The officers were later confirmed to have been with the Northern York County Regional Police Department. Two York County sheriffs were also reportedly wounded, and a third sheriff was able to return fire, killing the shooter.
The two surviving officers are currently in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.
“We grieve for the loss of life of three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth, served this country,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
The shooting occurred just after 2 p.m. near the 1800 block of Haar Road in North Codorus Township. Officers shot the suspect at the scene, state police said at a news conference, and he was found dead.
“The death of any public servant is an absolute tragedy. Learning that three officers were killed in York County where I worked for many years as a prosecutor, and where I still call home, is unfathomable. Having served alongside these officers, I know of their caliber, their professionalism and the lasting impact they had on our community. This loss is a heart-wrenching reminder of the sacrifices police officers and other first responders make every single day,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday.
Governor Shapiro also ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the three officers killed in the line of duty. The flags shall be lowered to half-staff immediately and remain lowered until the date of interment for the officers, which has not yet been announced.
Schools in the Spring Grove Area School District were sheltered in place as a precaution. The district has since received an “all clear” from law enforcement, confirming that no students or schools were involved in the incident.
