A shocking incident unfolded in central Pennsylvania when a man ambushed and gunned down three detectives. The suspect, identified as Matthew James Ruth, was wanted for allegedly stalking a former girlfriend and had reportedly broken into her home before launching the attack on law enforcement officers.
Authorities had been actively searching for the 24-year-old Matthew J. Ruth in connection with multiple charges, including stalking, prowling, and trespassing. According to a criminal complaint filed on Wednesday, police were keen to arrest him for these allegations. York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed to reporters that Ruth was the individual responsible for the fatal shooting of the three officers, and he vowed never to mention Ruth's name again in the future.
The three fallen detectives were identified as Detective-Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser. The prosecutor highlighted the incident as a tragic result of the "hateful scourge of domestic violence," emphasizing that this issue is what brought law enforcement to the scene in the first place.
On Wednesday afternoon, the police returned to the ex-girlfriend's residence during their ongoing search for Ruth. They discovered that the front door was unlocked, indicating that an intruder was likely inside. The ex-girlfriend and her mother had secured their home before leaving for safety reasons. As officers entered, Ruth opened fire on them with multiple rounds from an AR-15 style rifle, leading to a fierce firefight that ultimately resulted in Ruth's death.
The deadly series of events began late Tuesday night when police received reports of a man in camouflage looking through the windows of a home on Haar Road in North Codorus Township, situated about 110 miles west of central Philadelphia. Reports indicated that Julia Zumbrum, a resident of the home, recognized Ruth as her former boyfriend. Earlier, on August 20, her pickup truck had been set on fire, and she suspected Ruth was responsible.
Trail cameras in the area had captured images of a man resembling Ruth, who was seen with an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest. The complaint stated that Ruth and Zumbrum had only dated briefly and that he had never been invited to her home.
The police's intention was to ensure the safety of Zumbrum and her mother, but instead, they confronted a deadly situation. Had the mother and daughter returned home before the police arrived, they could have become the victims of Ruth’s violent actions. Tragically, the family’s dog, a black Labrador retriever, was also killed during the incident. Barker stated that the officers' presence saved two lives that day, emphasizing that it was not mere speculation but a reasonable inference based on the circumstances.
In addition to the three detectives who lost their lives, two other law enforcement officers were critically injured during the ambush. An initial review of law enforcement records did not indicate that Ruth was ineligible to own firearms, raising further questions about the tragedy that unfolded.
This incident highlights the severe implications of domestic violence and the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The community is left mourning the loss of these brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.
