On Thursday, a 61-year-old man fatally shot his neighbor in rural Pennsylvania, then ambushed state troopers, injuring two of them. During the chaos, he crashed his vehicle while firing multiple rounds from a semi-automatic weapon, according to police reports.
Law enforcement later killed the shooter.
Lori Wasco’s boyfriend contacted 911 from her residence near Thompson, alerting them that shots had been fired, state police Colonel Christopher Paris stated.
The motive behind the attack, carried out by Carmine Fano, 61, against the 57-year-old Wasco remains unexplained, police noted.
After wounding Troopers Joseph Peretinski and William Jenkins, Fano reportedly fired at police drones from a location near a propane tank, raising fears that it could explode.
Perecchinski, driving a tractor-trailer, sustained two chest injuries, managed to block the roadway, and tried to halt further traffic to avoid additional casualties.
“At that moment, I was still thinking about what I could do to secure the area after being shot,” Paris remarked about the situation.
Fano also targeted an SUV carrying first responders, causing further injuries when the vehicle veered off the road. The man injured in that incident was being treated, according to police updates.
“I don’t want to delve into his motivations,” Paris said, adding that it seems Fano escalated the situation by shooting the victim before law enforcement arrived and firing from a tactical position.
Investigators are looking into Fano’s background. He was reportedly a neighbor of Wasco, living a short distance away.
The trooper, who was wearing a ballistic vest, remained in stable condition late Thursday with serious injuries. “I consider myself very fortunate to be alive,” Paris commented.
The injured Perecchinski managed to apply a tourniquet to Jenkins before other troopers arrived to assist. Jenkins was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.
Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the bravery of the troopers, particularly praising Peretinski for “saving a life.”
“He acted decisively and thoughtfully. His actions showcase the absolute best of the Pennsylvania Police,” Shapiro stated.
Fano had armed himself with a rifle and failed to comply with police commands before being killed in the incident, authorities revealed.
This shooting unfolded approximately five miles north of Thompson and about 163 miles north of Philadelphia.
Erica Mills, a resident within a mile of the event, expressed her shock over the violence in their otherwise quiet community. “It’s such a peaceful town; we’ve never experienced anything like this,” she said.
