Man who 'ambushed' Pennsylvania state troopers, shooting 2, is dead: police

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WBRE/WYOU) – The man who opened fire on Pennsylvania State Troopers Thursday, wounding two, is dead, police officials confirmed.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said the troopers, identified as Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins, are in stable condition. Thursday morning, the troopers responded to the rural home of 57 year-old Lori Wasko, who'd been shot and killed by her neighbor, identified as Carmine Faino, 61.

Upon arrival, however, Faino ambushed the troopers and opened fire with a semiautomatic weapon, striking both Perechinsky and Jenkins. Officials say Faino refused to comply with commands and he was ultimately shot and killed during the incident.

Perechinsky, who had two chest wounds, applied a tourniquet to another trooper and was able to commandeer a tractor-trailer to block the roadway so other motorists from driving into harm’s way.

Meanwhile, a third trooper was able to help rescue both struck troopers, Paris said. The two were flown to hospitals for medical care.

The location was about 5 miles north of the borough of Thompson, some 163 miles north of Philadelphia.

“I don’t want to speak to his motive leading up to this. I would say you can draw certain conclusions from the standpoint that we believe Faino shot our victim prior to our arrival and then from a position of tactical advantage fired dozens and dozens of rounds,” Paris said.

On Thursday night, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he'd visited Perechinsky and Jenkins, adding a special thanks to "the brave first responders," including EMS worker Jay Larson. Shapiro said Larson was injured as he was helping others at the scene.

Shapiro called Perechinsky and Jenkins "heroes," and commended Perechinsky for his actions during the incident.

“He acted decisively. He acted thoughtfully," said Shapiro. "And the work he did today exemplifies the absolute best of the Pennsylvania State Police."

Col. Paris said the two troopers are the fifth and sixth to be shot since January 2023. One of those shot was killed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.