State Police Leading Investigation Into One Of Pennsylvania’s Deadliest Law-Enforcement Attacks In Recent Years

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, PA.- Three Police Officers were fatally gunned down and two other officers critically wounded on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, during a law enforcement operation in rural York County, Pennsylvania, authorities said. The officers were at a farm to follow up on a domestic-related investigation and to serve an arrest warrant when gunfire erupted in the early afternoon hours; the shooter was killed by responding officers at the scene.

     State Police and local officials said the shooting occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m., in the area of Haar and Emig roads in North Codorus Township, roughly 115 miles west of Philadelphia and near the Maryland border. Officers from the Northern York Regional Police Department and the York County Sheriff’s Office were among those who responded to the address. Four of the officers involved were reported to be Northern York Regional Officers, and a fifth was a York County Sheriff’s Deputy.

     Three officers succumbed to their injuries at the scene or after being transported; two other officers were taken to WellSpan York Hospital, where officials described their condition as critical but stable. 

     State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris said there was no ongoing threat to the public once the scene was secured. The shooter, whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin and as part of the investigation, was also dead. State police said he was shot by law enforcement.

     Pennsylvania State Police officials convened a briefing on Wednesday evening and pledged a complete and impartial investigation. “The grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it,” Commissioner Paris said, urging patience, while Detectives work to piece together the precise sequence of events and the motive behind the attack. Authorities did not release additional operational details — including whether officers announced themselves before approaching the property or the exact circumstances of the exchange of gunfire — citing the active nature of the probe.

     Governor Josh Shapiro ordered Commonwealth flags lowered to half-staff to honor the fallen and said he had met with the families of the Officers. Local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies have provided mutual aid support to York County Investigators, and a joint investigation was underway. Officials asked anyone with information or dash-cam or doorbell video from the area at the time to contact the Pennsylvania State Police.

     Within hours of the shooting, dozens of Police, Fire, and Emergency vehicles formed a solemn procession to the County Coroner’s Office; residents lined the roadside holding American flags and saluted as the convoy passed. Local schools and WellSpan York Hospital briefly enacted precautionary lockdowns while the incident was being contained. Elected officials and law-enforcement leaders from across the state issued condolences, and vigils were planned for Thursday evening.

Yesterday’s Attack Is The Deadliest Since 2009;

     Wednesday’s attack is among the deadliest single-day losses of law-enforcement personnel in Pennsylvania in recent years, drawing comparisons in scale to other ambush-style attacks on officers nationally. The shooting has renewed calls from some officials for an examination of tactical procedures used when serving high-risk warrants and for increased resources to support officer safety and mental-health interventions for individuals involved in domestic incidents.

     Investigators have withheld the names and ages of the officers and the shooter pending family notification and ongoing forensic work. Officials also said they were not yet releasing some operational details, such as whether the warrant being served was for arrest or search, the exact number of rounds fired, or whether children or other civilians were present, while the investigation continues. Authorities have asked the public to avoid speculating or sharing unverified videos or social media accounts that could interfere with the inquiry.

     State and Local Detectives, assisted by regional and federal partners, will analyze body-worn camera footage, cell phone records, and ballistic and forensic evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. A coroner’s office will release the officers’ names only after next-of-kin notifications are complete. The York County District Attorney’s Office will review the investigation for possible criminal or civil liabilities and will coordinate public updates as permitted.

This Is A Developing Story;

      This newsroom will continue to follow developments closely as investigators release further information about the officers, the suspect, and the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. 

Editor’s Note: Reporting for this article relied on statements and reporting from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Associated Press, NBC Philadelphia, WGAL, and local York County outlets. This newsroom will continue to follow developments closely as investigators release further information about the officers, the suspect, and the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.