On September 17, 2025, the quiet rural roads of North Codorus Township in southern Pennsylvania were shattered by a tragedy that has left both law enforcement and the community reeling. What began as a routine domestic violence investigation ended in a deadly ambush, claiming the lives of three Northern York County Regional Police detectives and critically wounding two other officers. The incident, which officials have called a "murderous rampage," has become a somber reminder of the dangers officers face in responding to domestic violence calls and the devastating ripple effects of such violence.
The shooter, identified as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth of Hanover, was already wanted by police on charges including stalking, loitering, prowling at night, and criminal trespass. According to York County District Attorney Timothy Barker, the sequence of events began the previous night, September 16, when Ruth’s ex-girlfriend’s mother reported seeing him lurking on her property, dressed in camouflage and peering through windows with binoculars. Trail camera footage later confirmed Ruth was armed with an AR-15-style rifle, and his truck was found abandoned nearby.
Ruth’s ex-girlfriend told police that she and Ruth had only dated briefly and that he had never been invited to her home. She also suspected Ruth of setting her pickup truck on fire back in August, although she declined to pursue an investigation at the time. After the unsettling events of September 16, the ex-girlfriend and her mother left the residence for their own safety, a decision that, in hindsight, likely saved their lives.
By the afternoon of September 17, four detectives from the Northern York County Regional Police Department and a deputy sheriff from the York County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the now-empty home to search for Ruth and ensure the safety of its residents. According to Barker, the officers found the front door unlocked—a red flag, since the women had locked up when they left. As soon as the officers opened the door, they were met with a hail of suppressed gunfire from Ruth, who was waiting inside with his AR-15-style rifle.
"Upon immediately opening the door, the actor repeatedly fired at the officers with multiple rounds from an AR-15 style rifle," Barker stated during a press briefing, as reported by NBC News. The ambush lasted approximately two minutes, during which three detectives—Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser—were killed. A fourth detective and the deputy sheriff were both critically wounded but survived and remain stable in the hospital, according to Fox News.
The firefight ended when one of the detectives and the deputy sheriff managed to return fire. Ruth was killed in the final exchange near the road, though officials have not disclosed whether he died by police gunfire or by his own hand. Inside the house, investigators found shell casings from the ambush and, in a heartbreaking discovery, the body of the ex-girlfriend’s black Labrador retriever, which Ruth had also shot and killed.
District Attorney Barker did not mince words about the root cause of the tragedy. "There is one motive, though, that is clear for everything, and that is the hateful scourge of domestic violence. That is what brought us here. That is what brought law enforcement here, that is what started all the activity," Barker said, as reported by ABC News. He emphasized that, had the ex-girlfriend and her mother returned home before police, they likely would have been the ones killed. "We have two lives of the residents there that are saved today. Had they arrived home and not Northern Regional Police Department officers, they would have been killed immediately by the actor. Again, that is not speculation. That is the absolute only reasonable inference from all actions."
Officials also confirmed that Ruth had no prior criminal convictions that would have prevented him from legally possessing firearms. This detail has reignited discussions about the intersection of domestic violence, gun ownership, and officer safety—an all-too-familiar debate in the aftermath of such tragedies.
The investigation is now being led by the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Additional search warrants are being executed at multiple locations throughout York County as authorities work to piece together the full scope of Ruth’s actions and possible motives. According to Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi has pledged the full support of the federal government to the ongoing investigation.
The shock of the ambush has reverberated through the law enforcement community and beyond. Northern York County Regional Police Department Chief Dave Lash described September 17 as a "dark day" for the department and for all of York County. "We are mourning the loss of three of our officers, and we continue to pray for the recovery of our fourth, and also for the recovery of the York County sheriff's deputy," Lash said during a Thursday press briefing, as reported by ABC News. In the aftermath, local and state police have stepped in to assist with police services while the department grieves and recovers.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited with the families of the wounded officers, offering both condolences and praise for their bravery. "They've got a long road ahead of them, and I just found it so striking that while they were there in the hospital, worried about the well-being of their family members, they were also just so proud of how their family members put that uniform on yesterday and ran out toward danger to keep others safe," Shapiro said, according to ABC News. During a news conference, he added, "This is an absolutely tragic and devastating day for your county and for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. [We] grieve for the loss of life of the three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth and served this country. We continue to pray for the full recovery of those who are dealing with their wounds."
As the community mourns, makeshift memorials have sprung up in honor of Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser. Law enforcement officers from neighboring departments have joined in processions, paying tribute to their fallen colleagues and reflecting on the risks inherent in their profession. The administrative offices of the Northern York County Regional Police Department remain closed, with support pouring in from across the state and country.
Domestic violence, as officials have repeatedly underscored, was the catalyst for this devastating event. The case has reignited conversations about early intervention, the dangers posed by armed abusers, and the need for comprehensive support for both victims and the officers who respond. The aftermath will undoubtedly be felt in York County for years to come, as families, colleagues, and an entire community come to terms with the loss and search for ways to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In the end, the events of September 17, 2025, serve as a stark reminder of the perils law enforcement officers face every day and the enduring impact of domestic violence on individuals and communities alike.
