Pennsylvania Highway Ambush: Man Kills Neighbor and Shoots 2 State Troopers in Susquehanna County
On August 7, 2025, a routine neighborly dispute in rural Thompson Township, Pennsylvania, escalated into a deadly ambush that left one woman dead and two Pennsylvania State Troopers critically injured. This article maps the sequence of events, profiles key individuals, examines legal ramifications under Pennsylvania’s murder statutes, and places the tragedy within broader trends of ambush attacks on law enforcement. Readers will gain a clear timeline of what happened, understand who Carmine Faino was and how investigators are piecing together motive, learn the current condition of the victims, and explore how local and state agencies are responding to prevent such violence.
What Happened During the Pennsylvania Highway Shooting Incident?
The ambush on State Route 171 unfolded in three phases: the neighbor’s murder at a private residence, the subsequent trooper ambush on the highway, and the medical and tactical response that followed. A detailed timeline illuminates how quickly a domestic homicide turned into a targeted attack on law enforcement, raising urgent questions about rural public safety in Pennsylvania.
How Did the Neighbor’s Murder Unfold?
Lori Wasko, a 57-year-old resident of Thompson Township, was shot to death by her next-door neighbor, 61-year-old Carmine Faino. Investigators believe their long-standing property dispute culminated in a fatal encounter.
- At approximately 11:17 a.m., Wasko placed a 911 call reporting a disturbance at her property on Ridge Road.
- Within minutes, Wasko reported a gunshot loud enough to shatter nearby windows.
- Responding officers found Wasko unresponsive in her living room; forensic evidence linked a semi-automatic rifle to Faino.
The rapid escalation from disturbance to homicide set the stage for the subsequent ambush on the nearby highway.
What Occurred During the Trooper Ambush on State Route 171?
When Pennsylvania State Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins arrived on State Route 171 at 11:35 a.m., they were met with withering gunfire from Faino, who had repositioned himself behind a grove of trees.
- Faino opened fire with the same semi-automatic rifle used in the neighbor’s killing, striking both troopers.
- A police drone dispatched for aerial observation was shot down as it hovered overhead.
- Faino attempted to ignite a propane tank to deter backup units.
The calculated nature of the ambush and the use of heavy weaponry underscored the danger first responders faced that afternoon.
What Were the Heroic Actions Taken by Troopers and EMTs?
Trooper Perechinsky, despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his shoulder, applied tourniquets to both his and Trooper Jenkins’s injuries before commandeering a passing tractor-trailer to evacuate Jenkins. EMT Jay Larson arrived seconds later, provided life-saving care, and suffered shrapnel wounds while pulling Perechinsky to safety.
- Perechinsky administered immediate first aid to Jenkins’s lower-leg wound.
- He signaled a truck driver to stop, then guided his injured partner to the vehicle.
- Larson used a pressure dressing to stabilize Perechinsky’s shoulder, sustaining minor lacerations in the process.
Their swift, coordinated actions under fire prevented further blood loss and likely saved both troopers’ lives, exemplifying extraordinary bravery in the face of ambush tactics.
Who Was Carmine Faino and What Was His Role in the Shooting?
Carmine Faino was a 61-year-old lifelong Thompson Township resident with no known criminal record. He owned adjacent land to Lori Wasko and had engaged in repeated boundary disputes.
What Is Known About Carmine Faino’s Background and Relationship to the Victim?
Faino lived alone on a secluded tract of property behind Wasko’s home. Neighbors described him as reclusive but not overtly hostile until recent weeks, when fence-line disagreements and noise complaints escalated.
- Age: 61
- Occupation: Retired machinist
- Relationship: Next-door neighbor to Lori Wasko
- Property: 5-acre wooded lot separated by a disputed fence
The land dispute intensified tensions, leading to threats exchanged in June and July of 2025.
How Did the Standoff and Suspect’s Death Occur?
After ambushing the troopers, Faino retreated deeper into the woods, sparking a two-hour standoff. Negotiators called in, but Faino thwarted drones and threatened to detonate a propane tank.
- Police attempted dialogue via loudspeaker; Faino made no concessions.
- SWAT units deployed tear gas toward his position at 1:10 p.m.
- Faino was located moments later and fatally shot by a trooper’s precision rifle.
The swift resolution prevented further civilian casualties but ended with Faino’s death before charges could be filed.
Who Were the Victims and What Is Their Current Condition?
Three individuals were critically impacted: Lori Wasko, Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins, and EMT Jay Larson.
What Are the Details Surrounding Lori Wasko’s Death?
Lori Wasko was found by responding officers at 11:21 a.m. in her living room with a singular gunshot wound to the chest. Evidence suggests she was shot from a distance of approximately 15 feet. Her death was declared at the scene, and her funeral was held locally with community vigil support.
What Are the Injuries and Recovery Status of Troopers Perechinsky and Jenkins?
The following table summarizes each trooper’s wounds and current condition:
Both officers are expected to make full recoveries thanks to rapid evacuation and advanced trauma care.
How Was EMT Jay Larson Involved and What Is His Condition?
Jay Larson arrived as backup medical support, applied life-saving dressings to both troopers, and rescued Perechinsky under fire. He sustained minor shrapnel wounds to his forearm and was treated and released the same day. His actions earned commendation from Colonel Christopher Paris.
What Has Been the Official Response and Investigation Status?
The Pennsylvania State Police and state leadership have pledged full transparency and a thorough investigation into motive and tactical review.
What Statements Have Colonel Christopher Paris and Governor Josh Shapiro Made?
Colonel Paris praised the “courage and professionalism” of his troopers and EMT personnel, emphasizing lessons to strengthen rural response protocols. Governor Shapiro extended condolences to Lori Wasko’s family and announced increased state funding for law enforcement safety equipment.
What Are the Ongoing Investigation Efforts and Motive Theories?
Detectives are examining Faino’s digital communications, financial records, and social history to determine whether mental health or financial stress drove the violence. Ballistic experts are reconstructing the crime scenes at both the residence and highway ambush sites to clarify the sequence of shots fired.
How Does This Incident Fit Into Broader Law Enforcement Safety Trends?
Ambush-style attacks against officers have risen sharply nationwide, prompting federal scrutiny and calls for enhanced protective measures.
What Are the Recent Trends in Ambush Attacks on Law Enforcement Officers?
Key statistics highlight the growing peril:
- The Fraternal Order of Police reported 138 ambush incidents in 2023, a 20 percent increase over 2022.
- By August 7, 2025, at least 50 law enforcement officers have been shot in ambush attacks, on pace to surpass the 2024 total of 80.
- The FBI has launched a specialized task force to analyze ambush tactics and recommend countermeasures.
How Is Pennsylvania Affected by These Law Enforcement Safety Concerns?
In 2020, Pennsylvania’s homicide rate slightly exceeded the national median, and ambush attacks account for an increasing share of officer-involved shootings. Rural counties like Susquehanna have traditionally had low violent crime, making this incident a sobering anomaly that has prompted statewide reviews of trooper dispatch protocols.
What Are Pennsylvania’s Murder Laws and How Do They Relate to This Case?
Understanding Pennsylvania’s statutory definitions of homicide clarifies the charges that would have been filed against Faino had he survived.
What Are the Degrees of Murder Under Pennsylvania Law?
Below is a comparison of homicide classifications under 18 Pa. C.S. § 2502:
How Might These Laws Apply to the Suspect’s Actions?
Carmine Faino’s conduct—shooting Lori Wasko after threatening behavior—would likely satisfy first-degree murder elements. The subsequent ambush against troopers would add multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors would emphasize premeditation due to Faino’s prior disputes and tactical preparation (weapon cache, drone disabling).
What Has Been the Impact on the Thompson Township Community?
The ambush shattered the peace of this tight-knit rural area, prompting community organizing and law enforcement collaboration to restore a sense of safety.
How Has the Rural Community Reacted to the Violence?
Town hall meetings drew more than 200 residents to discuss grief support for Wasko’s family and to commemorate the heroism of local first responders. Neighbors have organized volunteer patrols to assist PSP in monitoring back roads.
What Measures Are Being Taken to Enhance Public Safety?
- Pennsylvania State Police increased foot and vehicle patrols throughout Susquehanna County.
- Local volunteer fire and EMS units received additional tactical medical training.
- Community groups launched a 24/7 hotline to report suspicious activity in remote areas.
These coordinated efforts aim to rebuild trust and prevent a recurrence of such a devastating assault.