Suspect Dead After 2 State Troopers Shot

Both Pennsylvania troopers were hospitalized in stable condition
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 7, 2025 1:08 PM CDT
Updated Aug 7, 2025 4:04 PM CDT
Two State Troopers Shot in Pennsylvania
Police officers block the street leading to where two Pennsylvania state troopers were ambushed and shot Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, near the village of Thompson in Susquehanna County.   (AP Photo/Aimee Dilger)

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were shot Thursday morning, Gov. Josh Shapiro said at an event outside Philadelphia. "About an hour ago in Susquehanna County, two state troopers were shot," Shapiro said, per the AP. "It is an active situation and at the conclusion of this event I plan to head there myself." Police said the troopers were ambushed in northeast Pennsylvania as they responded to a call for a welfare check about 11:30am. Authorities later said that the gunman was dead and that Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins were hospitalized with serious injuries.

A state police spokesperson said the location was along Route 171 near the village of Thomson, about 40 miles north of Scranton. Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said both troopers are fortunate to be alive. He said one trooper placed a tourniquet on the other, and "despite both of their patrol cars being riddled with bullets, a third trooper was able to get in and evacuate them and the incident evolved from there," WBRE/WYOU reports.

In a statement, state police said the suspect, whose name has not been released, was armed with a rifle and did not comply with demands. The statement indicated he was "ultimately shot and killed during the incident." CBS News reports that at least 50 law enforcement officers in the US have been shot in ambush attacks so far this year. The total last year was 80.

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