Three officers were killed and two others were left in critical condition from an apparent ambush in rural Pennsylvania Wednesday afternoon.
Police were following up on an investigation that had begun the day before when the unidentified gunman opened fire in North Codorus Township. He was then killed when police returned fire.
An initial 911 call came in at 2.10pm, followed by a series of calls, including one that said ‘officer down’ and ‘signal 13,’ which means an officer in trouble.
At least 30 shots were fired in the barrage, one witness told WGAL.
‘It was just continuous,’ Dave Miller said. ‘More than what I could count, but it was at least 30 shots and it went on for quite a while.’
Miller said he was heading home from work when he saw police ‘looking for someone.
‘And then I heard the gunshots ring [out] and I saw people on the ground and I got clear,’ he said, describing how he found an officer lying in the middle of the road.
‘More police were still rolling and they were coming from all directions,’ Miller continued. ‘It wasn’t long til I heard a helicopter.’
A firefighter at the scene with his hands over his head as the incident unfolds in York County
Multiple police officers were shot at, with some taken to a nearby hospital via helicopter
At that point, Miller said, a police officer urged him to get out of the area.
He added that he knew the family who lives at the house, but did not know why police were called to the scene.
The shooting had prompted schools in the Spring Grove School District and hospitals in York County to be temporarily placed on lockdown.
The school district noted that the officer-involved situation was not related to students or schools.
In remarks Wednesday night, Gov. Josh Shapiro denounced the violence as he argued ‘we can do better when it comes to mental health.’
‘We need to do better as a society,’ the governor told reporters, expressing his hope that something ‘constructive’ can come from the fallen officer’s memory.
‘We grieve for the loss of life of three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth, served this country,’ Shapiro said.
Multiple agencies are now assisting with the investigation, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency is ‘monitoring’ the situation and echoed Shapiro’s remarks that ‘violence must stop.’
‘We are working with our interagency partners and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. We are praying for the victims and their families. This violence must stop.’
The FBI and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are also at the scene, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday night.
Strangely, the Mexican Consulate also said in a now-deleted post it was ‘monitoring the incident’ and that the ‘Mexican community is advised to follow official instructions.’
A spokesperson for the consulate in Philadelphia has since claimed that the post was ‘only a precautionary alert for our community.’
First responders are seen investigating the fatal shooting
Emergency responders are seen gathered at the scene
The police-involved shooting occurred in a rural part of Pennsylvania
As the investigation continued Wednesday night, more than 30 police vehicles were seen blocking off roads bordered by a barn, a goat farm as well as soybean and corn fields.
Meanwhile, officials expressed their grief online, with Congressman Scott Perry saying he was ‘devastated to learn of our injured and fallen law enforcement officers today in Spring Grove.
‘There are few callings in life whereby you leave for your job and are never really sure if you’ll be able to return home; today is yet another sobering reminder of that.
‘I’m brokenhearted for these officers, their loved ones, their fellow officers in the Northern York County Regional Police Department and the York County Sheriff’s Office, and the communities they faithfully, tirelessly, and selflessly served. Please join me in praying for them and our communities.’
Lt. Gov. Austin A. Davis also the public to ‘Please send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting in York County.
‘As we learn more, follow all guidance from police and stay away from the area.’
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday further urged the public to follow all law enforcement instructions, adding that he was ‘en route to the area’ and was ‘praying for all involved’.
Officers were spotted cordoning off an area around where the three cops were killed
Pennsylvania state police troopers and emergency workers blocked the road
In a statement on X, the Pennsylvania House Republicans said they were ‘troubled and deeply saddened by the shooting of multiple officers in York County, PA today.’
‘We are thankful for the swift actions of all first responders and for the daily sacrifices our law enforcement officers make for our safety every day.’
Democrat Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman also shared a message regarding the shooting.
‘This is awful news and a shocking day for York County, our police force, and the entire community,’ Fetterman wrote on X.
‘While we wait for more information, please continue sheltering in place and avoid the area. My staff and I will keep folks updated as we learn more.’
