Crime
Suspect in Deadly York County Police Shooting Identified as 24-year-old Matthew Ruth
NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Court documents are shedding new light on events that unfolded just one day before a deadly shooting in York County that left three police officers and the suspected gunman dead, and two additional officers critically wounded.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, police were called to a farm property after a woman reported that a man, dressed in camouflage and carrying binoculars, was seen looking into her home through a window.
The woman told investigators she spotted the man on her driveway through a trail camera system installed on the property.
When an officer responded, the suspect was no longer at the scene.
However, the officer did locate a black 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck parked along the roadside near a wooded area.
The woman informed police she believed the intruder may have arrived in that vehicle.
The officer then spoke with a mother and daughter who lived at the property.
The daughter revealed that on August 20, her own pickup truck had been set on fire while parked in the driveway. She told investigators she suspected her ex-boyfriend at the time but declined to pursue an investigation.
The mother later provided officers with a still image from the trail camera, showing a man dressed in full camouflage standing behind the daughter’s vehicle.
In the photo, the individual appeared to be looking through a scope-like device pointed at the residence.
The daughter subsequently identified the man in the photo as her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Ruth, clarifying that their relationship had been brief and that he had never been invited to her home.
Investigators reviewing the photo also noted that Ruth had an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest while observing the residence.
Police launched a search for Ruth that day but were unable to locate him.
Based on the evidence, officers filed the affidavit and sought a warrant for Ruth’s arrest on multiple charges, including stalking, loitering and prowling at night, and criminal trespass.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Ruth was involved in the September 17 shooting that killed three officers and wounded two others.
CHICAGO — Authorities have launched an investigation following a fatal overnight shooting that occurred on the city’s South Side, leaving one man dead.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident took place shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of West 44th Street, within the Grand Boulevard neighborhood.
Officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire and a person shot.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 28-year-old man lying unresponsive on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Police have not yet released the identity of the victim, and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.
Detectives from the CPD Area One unit are leading the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or call 911.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at CPDtip.com to assist investigators.