2 Pennsylvania state troopers shot in ambush, suspect dead
Published in News & Features
Two Pennsylvania state troopers were shot in an ambush responding to a call in Susquehanna County on Thursday morning, and the suspected gunman is dead, authorities said.
Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to a local hospital, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Both troopers were in stable condition and are expected to recover, Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a press briefing from the hospital.
The suspect has not been publicly identified. State police leaders said the troopers were responding just after 11 a.m. to check the welfare of a person at a home near the tiny 250-person town of Thompson in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris added there was “additional information about shots being fired” in the call.
“Upon arrival, they were immediately fired upon and ambushed. They are very lucky to be alive,” Paris said. “Despite both of their patrol cars being riddled with bullets, a third trooper was able to get in and evacuate them.”
Law enforcement formed a perimeter around the scene, but the shooter “refused to comply with commands,” state police said. The gunman, who was armed with a rifle, was eventually shot and killed by officers on the scene. Following his death, there was no further threat to the community, officials said.
Shapiro and Paris singled out Perechinsky for praise, saying he likely saved multiple lives including that of Jenkins, whom he applied a tourniquet to at the scene before the troopers escaped.
Pennsylvania Route 171 was shut down about 5 miles south of Thompson. A massive law enforcement presence was on the scene.
Shapiro announced the shooting news before giving a speech at an unrelated press event in Bucks County. He then quickly traveled north to the scene.
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