2 Pennsylvania state troopers shot in Susquehanna County, suspect dead, police say

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers are stable after they were shot Thursday morning in Susquehanna County, officials said.

Pennsylvania State Trooper Rob Urban confirmed to CBS News that the suspect died and both troopers were flown to a local hospital.

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris is referring to this incident as an “ambush.”

Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins suffered “serious injuries” in the shooting and were airlifted to a hospital but are in stable condition, according to state police.

The suspect was armed with a rifle and “refused to comply with commands,” state police said in a statement Thursday afternoon. The suspect was shot and killed, and there is no threat to the public, according to police.

“About an hour ago in Susquehanna County, two state troopers were shot. Lori and I are praying for those troopers,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at an event near Philadelphia. “I want you to know I’ve communicated with Col. Paris. He is on the scene. It is an active situation and at the conclusion of this event, I plan to head there myself.”

The shooting occurred in northeastern Pennsylvania around 11:15 a.m.

A state police spokesperson, Trooper Logan T. Brouse, said the location was along Route 171 near the village of Thompson. That’s about 40 miles north of Scranton.

Sen. Dave McCormick said in a social media post that he was monitoring the developing situation. He also expressed empathy for the troopers who were shot.

“Dina and I are praying for our brave state troopers in Susquehanna County and monitoring the situation closely as more details emerge,” McCormick posted.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said on X that he was “relieved to hear the troopers involved in today’s incident in Thompson Township are expected to be in stable condition.”

Data analyzed by the CBS News Crime Unit shows at least 50 law enforcement officers have been shot in ambush attacks so far this year — on track to exceed the 2024 total of 80. The FBI is studying the trend and interviewing both victims and suspects.

“Very lucky to be alive”

“Trooper Perechinsky saved lives today,” Shapiro said. “He quite likely almost saved the life of his partner and the life of community members who were in the area. He acted decisively, he acted thoughtfully, and the work he did today exemplifies the absolute best of the Pennsylvania State Police, the best law enforcement agency in the entire nation.”

Shapiro said Perechinsky and Jenkins were the fifth and sixth state troopers to be shot since his tenure as governor began in January 2023. 

“It never gets easier,” he said. 

Paris said the troopers were dispatched for a welfare check that involved gunshots fired, and they were “ambushed” as soon as they arrived.

“They are very lucky to be alive,” Paris said. Perechinsky put a tourniquet on Jenkins, and even though both of their patrol cars were “riddled with bullets,” Paris said, a third trooper was able to get in and evacuate the injured officers. The investigation is ongoing, he added.

New York State Police and local departments provided support on Thursday, Paris said.