A gunman who slaughtered three police officers during a rural bloodbath has been named as Matthew James Ruth by police.
Ruth, 24, is accused of opening fire in York County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday afternoon. He was killed when police returned gunfire.
The horrific incident, which left five officers shot, unfolded Wednesday afternoon in York County as several 911 calls came in stating ‘officer down’ and ‘signal 13,’ which means an office is in trouble.
Ruth, 24, was charged earlier on Wednesday with stalking, loitering and prowling at nighttime and criminal trespass, court documents reviewed by the Daily Mail revealed.
A press conference has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon, with officers likely to discuss whether that earlier charge triggered the triple-murder.
Meanwhile, heartbreaking Police scanner audio obtained by WGAL News 8 started with: ‘We have one suspect, class four.
‘Two officers, class four… correction, three officers, class four,’ it continued. Class four suggests a person has serious injuries that could lead to death.
‘One officer, class one,’ it added, referring to someone who sustained life-threatening injuries.
‘We’re going to be coming in with one of the officers shot. We were going to fly, but we’re just coming by ground now. We’re probably less than 15 minutes out… shot in the lower abdomen and left forearm.’
The two surviving officers are in critical but stable condition after Ruth, who was armed and dressed in camouflage, skulked in nearby cornfields, CNN reported.
Five officers were shot in a violent incident Wednesday afternoon in York County, Pennsylvania. Three of those officers died and two are are in critical but stable condition
The unidentified suspect was killed when police returned fire during the shooting. (Pictured: A York County Sheriff vehicle passing during a procession Wednesday evening)
A local man has been charged in relation to allegedly stalking a resident at a home where the police officers were killed. It is unclear if any of those involved in that alleged incident were involved in the deadly shooting.
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.
Strangely, the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia 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 with the Mexican Consulate told the Daily Mail the agency posted as a ‘precautionary alert for our community.’
‘Whenever there is an incident that occurs within our jurisdiction, we send it out. We have no further information than what has appeared in the media. Therefore, we have no comments/statement at this time,’ they added.
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.
A local man has been charged in relation to allegedly stalking a resident at a home (pictured) where the police officers were killed
In remarks Wednesday night, Governor 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 were also at the scene, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday night.
At least 30 shots were fired in the barrage, a 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.’
More than 30 police vehicles were seen blocking off roads bordered by a barn, a goat farm as well as soybean and corn fields. (Pictured: A first responder with his hands on his head at the scene)
The shooting had prompted schools in the Spring Grove School District and hospitals in York County to be temporarily placed on lockdown
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 till I heard a 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.
Many officials, including Congressman Scott Perry, expressed their grief online following the terrible incident.
‘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,’ Perry said.
Several emergency personnel are seen blocking off roads near where the shooting took place
‘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.’
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’.
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.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .