Crime
Suspect in York County Police Shooting Identified as 24-Year-Old Matthew Ruth, Officials Address Social Media Misinformation
NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Authorities have identified the suspect in Wednesday’s deadly police shooting in York County as 24-year-old Matthew J. Ruth, who died from a gunshot wound after opening fire on officers serving a warrant.
The shooting left three police officers dead and two others critically wounded, marking one of the most tragic incidents for law enforcement in the region’s history.
Law enforcement officials are also addressing a wave of misinformation circulating on social media, where an unrelated individual from Hanover, Pennsylvania, has been falsely identified as the gunman.
The man, who also goes by the name “Matt,” publicly clarified on social media that he is not 24 years old, is alive, and has no connection to the incident, urging the public to stop sharing his photographs.
Officials are reminding the public to rely solely on verified information from law enforcement and credible news outlets to avoid spreading harmful falsehoods.
Court documents reveal troubling details about Ruth’s behavior in the days leading up to the confrontation.
According to an affidavit of probable cause:
On September 16, a woman called police to report a man in camouflage with binoculars on her property, seen peering into her residence.
Trail camera footage captured the man in her driveway.
Responding officers discovered a black 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck near the property, which the caller believed was connected to the suspect.
The woman and her daughter reported that on August 20, the daughter’s vehicle had been set on fire in the driveway. She told investigators she suspected her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Ruth, but initially declined to pursue an investigation.
The trail camera image showed a man in full camouflage clothing, holding a scoped device aimed toward the residence. The daughter identified the individual as Ruth, whom she had briefly dated.
Investigators also noted in the image that Ruth had an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest.
Police searched the area but were unable to locate Ruth at that time. Based on the evidence, a warrant was sought for his arrest on charges of stalking, loitering and prowling at night, and criminal trespass.
On September 17, 2025, just after 2:10 p.m., officers from multiple agencies attempted to serve the warrant at 1879 Haar Road, North Codorus Township. Ruth opened fire, striking at least five officers.
Three officers died at the scene, while two others were airlifted in critical condition.
Medevac helicopters transported the wounded to regional trauma centers, including WellSpan York Hospital, which confirmed it was treating multiple patients and implemented heightened security protocols.
The suspect, identified as Ruth, was later shot and killed by police officers.
Authorities continue to investigate the events surrounding the tragedy, including Ruth’s actions in the days prior.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and the wider York County region.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.