Routine Police Response Turns Grim – Blindsided!

Yellow police tape in front of crime scene.

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were shot and wounded by an armed suspect during what should have been a routine retail theft response, exposing the deadly reality our brave law enforcement officers face daily from criminals who show no respect for the badge.

Story Highlights

  • Baltimore suspect Lamar Lorenzo Foy opened fire on Pennsylvania troopers after fleeing a Dick’s Sporting Goods theft
  • One trooper remains hospitalized in serious condition while another was treated and released
  • The armed suspect was killed when troopers returned fire during the Interstate 81 confrontation
  • Two female accomplices from Maryland were arrested and charged with retail theft and drug offenses

Retail Theft Escalates to Deadly Gunfight

Pennsylvania State Police responded to a theft report at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Guilford Township near Chambersburg at 6:11 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Three suspects from Baltimore fled the scene in a van with Maryland plates, triggering a high-speed pursuit that stretched over 10 miles southbound on Interstate 81. The chase demonstrates how organized retail theft operations increasingly involve criminals willing to use deadly force against law enforcement officers.

Coordinated Police Response Ends in Violence

State troopers deployed spike strips near exit 3 at Greencastle, successfully stopping the fleeing vehicle. Two female suspects, Amir Loren Swift and Giani Jaida McGowan, both 21, exited the van and were immediately arrested without incident. However, 31-year-old Lamar Lorenzo Foy remained in the vehicle and opened fire on the approaching troopers, critically wounding one officer and injuring another.

The wounded troopers demonstrated exceptional courage by returning fire despite their injuries, killing Foy and ending his threat to public safety. Both officers were transported to Wellspan York Hospital, where one remains in serious condition while the other has been treated and released. This swift tactical response likely prevented additional casualties and protected other motorists on the busy interstate corridor.

Cross-State Criminal Operation Exposed

The involvement of Baltimore residents in Pennsylvania retail theft highlights the interstate nature of organized criminal enterprises plaguing American communities. Interstate 81 serves as a major corridor for various criminal activities, including theft rings and drug trafficking operations that exploit state boundaries to evade law enforcement. The two female suspects remain held without bail in Franklin County Jail, facing retail theft and drug-related charges.

Governor Josh Shapiro issued statements praising the bravery of the wounded troopers, while the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association and Fraternal Order of Police called for public support and prayers. These organizations consistently advocate for officer safety and highlight the daily risks faced by law enforcement personnel who protect our communities from dangerous criminals willing to use deadly force.

Law Enforcement Under Fire

This incident underscores the escalating violence directed at police officers who serve and protect our communities. What began as a routine response to retail theft quickly transformed into a life-threatening confrontation, demonstrating that no police call can be considered truly routine. The professional response by Pennsylvania State Police prevented a dangerous armed suspect from potentially harming innocent civilians while pursuing his criminal activities across state lines.

The investigation continues as authorities examine potential connections to other crimes and criminal networks. This attack on law enforcement officers represents a broader challenge facing police departments nationwide, where criminals increasingly resort to violence rather than face accountability for their actions. Supporting our police officers and ensuring they have the resources needed to protect themselves and our communities remains a critical priority for maintaining public safety.

Sources:

2 Pennsylvania state troopers wounded and a suspect was killed in exchange of gunfire after chase – Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Pennsylvania State Troopers Shot Chambersburg I81 – CBS News Philadelphia