Three officers were killed and two others were left in critical condition from an apparent ambush in rural Pennsylvania Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities were continuing an investigation from the previous day when an unidentified shooter began firing. The shooter was then fatally shot by police returning fire.

At 2:10 pm, an initial 911 call was received, followed by multiple calls, with one reporting ‘officer down’ and a ‘signal 13,’ indicating an officer in distress.

At least 30 shots were fired in the barrage, one witness told WGAL.

‘It was just continuous,’ Dave Miller said. ‘More than what I could count, but it was at least 30 shots and it went on for quite a while.’ 

 Miller said he was heading home from work when he saw police ‘looking for someone.

‘And then I heard gunshots going off and saw people on the ground, so I moved away,’ he recalled, describing the moment he discovered an officer lying in the middle of the street.

‘More police were still rolling and they were coming from all directions,’ Miller continued. ‘It wasn’t long til I heard a helicopter.’

A firefighter at the scene with his hands over his head as the incident unfolds in York County

Multiple police officers were shot at, with some taken to a nearby hospital via helicopter 

At that point, Miller said, a police officer urged him to get out of the area. 

He added that he knew the family who lives at the house, but did not know why police were called to the scene.   

The shooting had prompted schools in the Spring Grove School District and hospitals in York County to be temporarily placed on lockdown.

The school district said the officer-involved situation is not related to students or schools 

In remarks Wednesday night, Gov. Josh Shapiro denounced the violence as he argued ‘we can do better when it comes to mental health.’ 

‘We need to do better as a society,’ the governor told reporters, expressing his hope that something ‘constructive’ can come from the fallen officer’s memory.

Multiple agencies are now assisting with the investigation, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency is ‘monitoring’ the situation and echoed Shapiro’s remarks that ‘violence must stop.’ 

‘We are working with our interagency partners and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. We are praying for the victims and their families. This violence must stop.’ 

Strangely, the Mexican Consulate also said in a now-deleted post it was ‘monitoring the incident’ and that the ‘Mexican community is advised to follow official instructions’.

It is unclear why the consulate is involved and authorities have yet to confirm whether any Mexican nationals were affected.

Emergency responders are seen gathered at the scene 

Meanwhile, officials expressed their grief online, with Lt. Gov. Austin A. Davis asking the public to ‘Please send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting in York County. 

‘As we learn more, follow all guidance from police and stay away from the area.’ 

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also urged the public to follow all law enforcement instructions, adding that he was ‘en route to the area’ and was ‘praying for all involved’. 

In a statement on X, the Pennsylvania House Republicans said they were ‘troubled and deeply saddened by the shooting of multiple officers in York County, PA today.’

‘We are thankful for the swift actions of all first responders and for the daily sacrifices our law enforcement officers make for our safety every day.’

Democrat Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman also shared a message regarding the shooting. 

‘This is awful news and a shocking day for York County, our police force, and the entire community,’ Fetterman wrote on X. 

‘While we wait for more information, please continue sheltering in place and avoid the area. My staff and I will keep folks updated as we learn more.’