3 police officers killed, 2 wounded in Pennsylvania shooting

The events unfolded shortly after 2 pm local time (1800GMT) when 911 dispatchers received a call about a “police incident” in the township, according to York County Office of Emergency Management spokesman Ted Czech, NBC Philadelphia reported.

Authorities confirmed that five law enforcement officers were shot. Three died of their wounds, while the other two remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to Pennsylvania state officials cited by The Washington Post.

“This is an absolutely tragic and devastating day in York County and the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference Wednesday evening.

Police said the officers had been following up on a domestic-related investigation

“They were there to follow up on an investigation that began yesterday. The general heading of that investigation, I would say, would be domestic-related,” Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris told reporters.

He added that details were being withheld until related search warrants could be served.

Authorities said the suspect, whose identity has not been released, was shot and killed by police. A motive has not been disclosed.

The shooting “rocked the community here in York County,” Paris said, adding the names of the fallen officers and their departments would not be released immediately.

Gov. Shapiro and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday both traveled to the scene after being briefed.

“This kind of violence isn’t okay. We need to do better as a society,” Shapiro said. “We need to help the people who think picking up a gun is the answer.”

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said on the US social media company X’s platform that “the FBI and ATFHQ are on the scene supporting local law enforcement,” adding: “Violence against law enforcement is a scourge on our society and never acceptable. Pray for the officers involved.”

North Codorus Township is located about 115 miles (185 kilometers) west of Philadelphia and has a population of just under 10,000.