Two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers from Troop R, Gibson, Susquehanna County are hospitalized after being shot Thursday morning. The shooter is dead, according to information released during an impromptu press conference held by State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris and Gov. Josh Shapiro outside Geisinger CMC in Scranton. Gov. Shapiro lauded their bravery, indicating they saved lives during their response. The troopers were identified as Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins
Col. Paris said the troopers were shot in the line of duty and are in stable condition. Paris said the crime scene is still active, adding the suspect was deceased and there is no threat to the community.
He said shortly after 11 a.m., the troopers were dispatched to check the welfare of an individual with additional information that shots were fired. “Upon their arrival, they were immediately fired upon and ambushed. They are very lucky to be alive,” Col. Paris noted. He stated Trooper Perechinsky was able to tie a tourniquet on the arm of the injured Trooper Jenkins during the incident.
He said both patrol cars were riddled with bullets, and a third trooper was able to get in and evacuate them. “We are very lucky today with the two troopers,” he stated. He added that since 2023, six troopers have been shot in the line of duty, one of them fatally.
The PSP Communications Office in Harrisburg issued the following information:
Trooper Logan T. Brouse, a state police spokesperson, confirmed that the shooting occurred on Thursday morning at around 11:30, when troopers arrived at a call on Route 171 between Thompson Boro and Harmony.
Outside of an event in Philadelphia, Governor Josh Shapiro said, “About an hour ago in Susquehanna County, two state troopers were shot. Lori and I are praying for those troopers,” Shapiro said. “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.”
Also reacting were PA elected leaders Senator Dave McCormick and U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan. Each released a statement about the incident.
In his statement, Senator McCormick expressed empathy for the troopers who were shot saying:
“Dina and I are praying for our brave state troopers in Susquehanna County and monitoring the situation closely as more details emerge.”
On X, Rep. Bresnahan said he was “relieved to hear the troopers involved in today’s incident in Thompson Township are expected to be in stable condition.”