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.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.