A 61-year-old Pennsylvania man turned a quiet rural neighborhood into a war zone, executing his neighbor before launching a calculated ambush on responding state troopers with a semiautomatic weapon.
Story Snapshot
- Carmine Faino fatally shot neighbor Lori Wasko, then ambushed two state troopers responding to the 911 call
- Both troopers were wounded in the tactical assault, along with an EMT, before police killed Faino
- The attack occurred in peaceful Thompson Township, Pennsylvania, shocking residents of the typically quiet community
- Faino used a semiautomatic weapon to fire dozens of rounds at police vehicles, a drone, and emergency responders
Deadly Neighbor Dispute Escalates
Carmine Faino, 61, fatally shot his 57-year-old neighbor Lori Wasko outside her home in Thompson Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on August 8, 2025. Wasko’s boyfriend immediately called 911 at approximately 11:17 a.m. to report shots fired. No prior disputes between Faino and Wasko have been documented, and investigators have not disclosed any motive for the killing.
The shooting occurred in a sparsely populated area about five miles north of Thompson borough, roughly 163 miles north of Philadelphia. Local residents described their community as “very, very quiet” with nothing comparable ever happening before in this rural setting known for its tranquility and low crime rates.
Tactical Ambush on Law Enforcement
When Pennsylvania State Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins arrived at the scene, Faino launched a premeditated ambush using a semiautomatic weapon. The suspect fired dozens of rounds at the responding officers, wounding both troopers who are now in stable condition with serious injuries. This calculated attack demonstrates the growing dangers law enforcement faces, even in traditionally peaceful rural areas.
Faino’s assault extended beyond the initial targets, as he fired at police vehicles, a surveillance drone, and an emergency medical technician’s SUV. The EMT sustained injuries during the attack and is currently recovering. This indiscriminate targeting of first responders reveals the suspect’s intent to maximize casualties among those sworn to protect and serve the community.
Emergency Response Team Neutralizes Threat
The Pennsylvania State Police Emergency Response Team engaged Faino after he refused to comply with police commands during a standoff. Officers ultimately used lethal force to neutralize the threat after negotiations failed and Faino continued to pose an active danger to law enforcement and the community. This decisive action prevented further casualties and ended the terrorizing assault on first responders.
Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the sequence of events and emphasized the ongoing investigation into Faino’s background and possible motives. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of violence and the need for robust emergency response protocols, particularly in rural areas where such tactical ambushes are extraordinarily rare but potentially devastating.
Sources:
Pennsylvania state police involved in deadly ambush, suspect killed – Fox29
2 Pennsylvania state troopers shot in Susquehanna County – 6ABC
