Pennsylvania Shooting Incident: A Tragic Ambush in Susquehanna County
A horrific shooting occurred on August 7, 2025, near Thompson, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania that stunned the quiet rural community and raised immediate questions about public safety, police response, and the implications for gun violence in America. At 11:17 a.m. local time, 61-year-old Carmine Faino began a horrific acting series of actions that ended with him shooting his neighbor, 57-year-old Laurie Wasko, near her vehicle, and ambushing two Pennsylvania State Troopers, Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins. The nature of this event’s violence shocked observers of its premeditated brutality and brought renewed focus on community safety, acknowledgement of first responders’ heroic actions, and need for even-handed policy discussions about how we have arrived at this crisis. Below, we will review the details of this sad event, its aftermath, and its implications for our current state of affairs via the lens of continuing national discussions.
The Incident: A Calculated Ambush
The incident began with the shooting death of Laurie Wasko, aged 57, who was shot next to her vehicle, in what officials are calling a targeted killing of Wasko by Carmine Faino. After killing Wasko, Faino shot Troopers Joseph Perechinsky, who had served as a trooper for six years, and William Jenkins, who had served for ten years, as they responded to the scene upon arrival. Faino was strategically positioned and shot the troopers with a rifle while attacked them as they were ambushed. Faino then turned his gun on an EMT vehicle and crashed it, although the EMT was found to be stable. In addition, Faino shot down a police drone and was seen sitting on a propane tank, raising fears of possible IEDs that further complicated and threatened the situation. While it was a dark day in the Commonwealth with serious injuries to first responders, Trooper Perechinsky’s actions highlighted the courage of first responders. Perechinsky, being wounded himself, applied a tourniquet to his partner Trooper Jenkins and commandeered a tractor-trailer truck belonging to a citizen to get himself and Jenkins to safety . Both troopers were airlifted to a hospital and are stable and have recovered from their respective injuries, displaying commendable strength and courage and demanding respect for their quick thinking while under attack. Unfortunately, Faino, who was noncompliant with law enforcement directions, was shot and killed by responding officers, positively ending the immediate threat, yet leaving the community in grief with questions.
Aftermath and Official Response
The incident has received a great deal of attention from state officials. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the injured troopers personally. He called Perechinsky a “real hero” for saving the lives of the victims, while honoring the courage and valour of the law enforcement officer’s profession, who take personal risk to protect and serve the community. The Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office initiated a use-of-force investigation to ensure accountability and transparency. Both troopers have been placed on administrative leave during the process. Administrative leave is standard procedure, and an important step in being able to scrutinize the actions of public officers and retain confidence in law enforcement.
The assault has now sparked renewed discussions around public safety in rural environments, which may have less incidents of violent acts but are still just as harmful. The possible existence of IEDs (as suggested by Faino’s actions near the propane tank) has caused local leaders to re-evaluate preparedness for complex threats. Community leaders are asking for more access to mental health resources, improved officer training, education to combat the growing availability of firearms while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Broader Implications: Safety, Policy, and Community Healing
The Thompson shooting is a stark reminder of the challenges communities must overcome, as they attempt to navigate arrays of issues regarding gun ownership, gun violence, public safety threats, and the obligations of law enforcement in crisis situations. In a politically charged environment, this shooting reminds us that bipartisan discussions must occur to effectively discuss and address gun violence without further polarizing communities of any size. Policymakers must figure out how they can provide law enforcement with the financial resources to obtain enhanced training, and guns, but not forget about the underlying issues such as mental health crises that precedes these acts of violence. The valor of Trooper Perechinsky to leave cover to potentially save his fellow officer illustrates the sacrifices many first responders are willing to make. It also illustrates the danger for first responders in increasingly unpredictable situations.
The loss of Laurie Wasko and trauma of this situation will remain with the residents of Susquehanna County and the surrounding areas for long time to come. Community healing will require that time be allowed for an uncomfortable transition in community resilience and unity. Local officials have proposed multiple vigils and support services to honor Wasko’s memory and attempt to provide some form of counseling to those impacted negatively by association to Craig’s senseless actions. This shooting raises questions as to how rural communities, particularly where access to a competent law enforcement response may be absent with these types of situations be stretched thin.
The shooting scene reportedly occurred within close proximity to Thompson, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The date was August 7, 2025, at 11:17 a.m., local time. The victims included Laurie Wasko, 57, who died, Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins, who were hurt but stable, and the EMT, who was also hurt and stated that he was stable. The suspect, Carmine Faino, 61, was deceased on scene. YOU heard the news report saying that the response was to airlift the troopers, killed the suspect and began a continuing use-of-force investigation. Governor Josh Shapiro commended Trooper Perechinsky’s heroism in a statement.
As Susquehanna County grieves, this event serves as a rallying cry for communities and policymakers. Developing public safety calls for multi-pronged solutions, which can include supporting law enforcement with resources; education surrounding mental health; and building community resilience. The valor of Troopers Perechinsky and Jenkins, combined with the awful event of the death of Laurie Wasko, was a stark reminder of the human toll related to these types of events; it reminds us that we must come together to avoid them. By turning our attention to how we can provide real solutions and to creating a space for conversations, we can honor the victims of this event and work towards safer and more resilient communities.
While this unfortunate event is uniquely local, it represents larger, national challenges that require complex and inclusive public policy discussions. As the investigation continues and the community begins the healing process, those involved in addressing issues of safety and security for everyone will undoubtedly recall lessons learned from Thompson, Pennsylvania.
