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.
City of Hammond, Louisiana — At approximately 11:50 p.m. on February 24, 2026, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to a report of shots fired involving one possible victim.
Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old juvenile female, identified as Tyronai Reed, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered at the scene, and she was transported to North Oaks Health System for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Reed later succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched an immediate homicide investigation.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified 18-year-old Demontez Treyvon “Trey” Robinson of Hammond as a suspect in the shooting.
While actively working the case, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.
Robinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
Robinson was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning. According to investigators, Robinson admitted that the firearm discharged while he was handling or “playing with” it, resulting in the single round striking the 14-year-old victim.
Robinson was subsequently booked into the Hammond City Jail on one count of Negligent Homicide.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains in its early stages and additional details may be released as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Morse with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5758 or via email at morse_cm@hammond.org. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s official Facebook page or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Individuals providing information may be eligible for a cash reward. Authorities urge members of the community to assist in the ongoing investigation.