Crime
First look at the York County shooting suspect Matthew James Ruth
NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Authorities have officially identified the suspect in Wednesday’s deadly York County police shooting as 24-year-old Matthew J. Ruth, who died from a gunshot wound after opening fire on officers attempting to serve a warrant at a rural property.
The tragedy, described as one of the most devastating incidents in the region’s law enforcement history, left three police officers dead and two others critically wounded.
During a Thursday press conference, York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed the identity of the gunman but emphasized that after stating his name once, he would only refer to him as “the actor,” in order to keep the focus on the fallen officers and their families.
The Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD) identified the three officers killed in the line of duty as:
- Detective Sergeant Cody Becker
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser
- Detective Mark Baker
A fourth NYCRPD officer was among the two critically wounded. In a public 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.”
Detective Mark Baker, a former Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol officer, began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department’s 25th District in 2001.
He served there until 2004 before joining NYCRPD, where he continued his service until his tragic death on Wednesday.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials have had to combat a wave of misinformation on social media, where photographs of an unrelated man from Hanover, Pennsylvania — also named “Matt Ruth” — were widely shared, falsely identifying him as the deceased gunman.
The individual, who is alive and not connected to the case, publicly clarified on his own social media accounts:
“I am not 24, and I am still alive. Stop posting my pictures.”
Despite his clarifications, images of him circulated widely, including being shared by prominent platforms such as Occupy Democrats, whose post received more than 71,000 shares within 12 hours. Other outlets, including Economic Times, also published his images, which remain visible in search results.
The man later expressed gratitude for those who reached out in support, calling the situation “outrageous” but saying it was “nice having people reach out.”
Officials have strongly urged the public to rely solely on verified information from law enforcement and credible news sources to prevent further harm.
Court documents reveal disturbing details of Ruth’s behavior in the days leading up to the deadly confrontation.
According to an affidavit of probable cause:
On September 16, a woman reported a man in camouflage on her property with binoculars, appearing to look into her residence. Trail camera footage confirmed the presence of a man in her driveway.
Responding officers located a black 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck near the woods, which the woman believed was connected to the suspect.
The woman and her daughter further disclosed that on August 20, the daughter’s vehicle had been set on fire in their driveway.
She suspected her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Ruth, but initially declined to pursue charges.
Trail camera images later showed a man in full camouflage, standing behind the daughter’s truck and aiming a scoped device toward the residence. The daughter identified him as Ruth, with whom she had a brief relationship.
Investigators noted that the man in the footage also carried an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest.
Despite an extensive search, officers were unable to locate Ruth that day. Based on the evidence, a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of stalking, loitering and prowling at night, and criminal trespass.
On September 17, 2025, at approximately 2:10 p.m., officers from multiple agencies attempted to serve the warrant at 1879 Haar Road in North Codorus Township. Ruth opened fire almost immediately, striking at least five officers.
Three officers were killed at the scene, while two others were airlifted in critical condition.
Multiple medevac helicopters were dispatched to transport the wounded to regional trauma centers, including WellSpan York Hospital, which later confirmed it was treating several patients and had activated heightened security protocols.
Ruth was later shot and killed by law enforcement at the scene.
Authorities from the Pennsylvania State Police and the York County District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate the incident, examining Ruth’s actions in the days prior to the shooting and the broader circumstances surrounding the attack.
The devastating events have sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and the wider York County region, leaving officers, families, and residents grieving an almost unprecedented loss.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.