SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, Pa. — A shocking act of violence erupted late Thursday morning in the borough of Thompson, leaving two people dead—including the gunman—and multiple others injured, among them two Pennsylvania State Troopers and an emergency medical technician.
Authorities say the deadly chain of events began around 11:15 a.m. on August 7, 2025, when 61-year-old Carmine Faino allegedly shot and killed his next-door neighbor, 57-year-old Lori Wasko, outside her home along Route 171. Investigators believe the attack was unprovoked. Wasko’s boyfriend quickly called 911, prompting an urgent law enforcement response.
Troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins were the first to arrive. But as they stepped from their patrol vehicles, police say Faino ambushed them with a rifle, unleashing multiple rounds. Trooper Perechinsky was hit twice in the chest, while Trooper Jenkins suffered gunshot wounds to both arms.
Two additional troopers soon reached the scene, managing to reach their injured colleagues and coordinate their airlift to local hospitals. Both Perechinsky and Jenkins are reported to be in stable condition.
The tense situation escalated further when officers spotted Faino perched atop a propane tank, raising fears he might attempt to detonate it. Negotiators tried to persuade him to surrender, but when he was deemed an immediate threat to public safety, troopers opened fire, killing him.
Amid the chaos, an EMT responding to the call was also injured when his vehicle came under fire. The gunfire caused him to veer off the road, and his condition has not yet been made public.
Governor Josh Shapiro, who first addressed the shooting during an event in Bucks County, later visited Trooper Perechinsky at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. The governor hailed Perechinsky’s bravery, saying his swift actions “saved lives,” including those of his partner and bystanders. “He acted decisively. He acted thoughtfully. And the work he did today exemplifies the absolute best of the Pennsylvania State Police,” Shapiro said.
Friends and neighbors are mourning Lori Wasko, remembered as a warm and valued member of the community. Nikki Creps, a close friend, expressed both grief and frustration, noting that Faino had a troubling past and should have been incarcerated weeks earlier for a prior home invasion.
Eyewitness Dave E. Carr Jr. recalled the terrifying moment a bullet narrowly missed his head as he watched troopers take cover under fire. Several patrol vehicles were damaged in the exchange of gunfire, though Carr escaped without injury.
The Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate, processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. Officials are expected to provide more details at a press briefing at the State Police Barracks in Dunmore.