Then came Wednesday’s horror, when three police officers in York County, Pennsylvania, were gunned down. Moreover, two other officers were injured in this tragic incident. The shooting started on a major rural highway in a suburb of York County, PA, North Codorus Township, about 115 miles west of Philadelphia. This tragic incident has drawn a heavy police presence and emergency response that has inundated the city of Allen.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Northern Regional Police were first to respond. An estimated 30 police vehicles surrounded the area, accompanied by emergency responders in droves. The region, defined by quilt-like, rolling acres of farmland, is home to the Ark Encounter barn, a goat farm, and plentiful fields of soybeans and corn. All of this is occurring despite recent widespread outcry from the affected community which prompted immediate action from local leaders.
Commissioner Col Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner spoke of the community’s deep pain and sorrow in wake of the tragedy. He stated, “There are simply no words I can offer to assuage the grief that this community has experienced.”
In addition to the police response, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis urged residents to support those affected by the shooting. He said, “Please send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting in York County.”
In a separate statement, Governor Josh Shapiro extended his sympathies, saying he was heartbroken by the loss of life of law enforcement. He remarked, “We grieve for the loss of life of three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth, served this country.”
As those investigations continued on the scene in North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced he was going to travel to the scene. He advised “all residents to follow the instructions of local law enforcement” as the situation developed.
Yamilet Cortés Torres, a spokesperson from the Mexican consulate in Philadelphia, spoke to the Press about the safety worries for Philadelphia’s local migrant community. As a result of the latest attack, they released a precautionary notice for residents to stay alert. They clarified that it was “only a precautionary alert for our community.”
In the immediate aftermath, authorities cordoned off the area surrounding the shooting to protect the scene. By later in the afternoon, they had rescinded that restriction. Local authorities are still early in their investigation into the details of how this occurred.