Crime
Officers killed in York County ambush identified as Cody Becker, Isaiah Emenheiser and Mark Baker
NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — September 18, 2025 — Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that five police officers were shot on Wednesday afternoon while attempting to serve a warrant at a farm in York County.
Of those, three officers were killed, and two others remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition at WellSpan York Hospital.
During a Thursday press conference, York County District Attorney Tim Barker formally identified the gunman as 24-year-old Matthew J. Ruth. Barker emphasized that after naming him once, he would refer to him only as “the actor,” underscoring the department’s focus on the fallen officers and their families.
The Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD) has identified the three officers killed in the line of duty as:
- Detective Sergeant Cody Becker
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser
- Detective Mark Baker
A fourth officer from NYCRPD was among the two critically wounded. In a statement, the department said:
“We ask our community to keep these officers, their families, and their colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable grief.”
The NYCRPD administrative offices have been closed, and coverage of municipal calls is being handled by neighboring departments with the support of Pennsylvania State Police.
Governor Josh Shapiro described the tragedy as a devastating day for both York County and the Commonwealth:
“We grieve for the loss of three precious souls who served this county, this Commonwealth, and this country. We continue to pray for the full recovery of those who are dealing with their wounds.”
The Governor also noted that this shooting comes only months after Officer Andrew Duarte of York County was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.
Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris confirmed that PSP has convened a Major Case Team to lead the investigation, in coordination with the York County District Attorney’s Office.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and those who were wounded. There are simply no words that can assuage the grief this community is enduring. The grief will be unbearable, but together we will bear it,” Paris said.
Authorities reported that the suspect, Ruth, was fatally shot by law enforcement during the confrontation.
The investigation now spans multiple locations across York County and is expected to continue throughout the night and into the coming days.
Officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
The crime scene remains large and active, with significant investigative resources deployed.
A more detailed overview of the findings is expected later Thursday.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.