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
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.