I-81 Gunfight Turns Deadly: Maryland Man Killed, Two Pennsylvania Troopers Injured in Shocking Shootout

Franklin County, PA – What began as a routine response to a retail theft spiraled into a terrifying and violent shootout along Interstate 81, ending with one suspect dead and two Pennsylvania State Troopers gravely wounded. The tragic incident unfolded Wednesday evening near Exit 3 in Antrim Township, in front of a busy Sheetz store, shaking the community to its core and highlighting the very real dangers law enforcement face daily.

The suspect, Lamar Foy, 31, of Maryland, reportedly opened fire on officers as they attempted to remove him from a stolen van following a high-speed chase. According to PA State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris, the confrontation was sudden and vicious. Troopers Thomas Pack, 23, and Lucas Amarose, 31, were both struck multiple times during what Paris described as a “fierce gunfight.” Despite the hail of bullets, the Troopers returned fire with courage and determination, ultimately ending the threat.

Chaos on the Highway: A Retail Theft Turns into a Life-and-Death Standoff

The events began earlier in the evening around 6:14 p.m., when police responded to a retail theft at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Guilford Township. Surveillance video identified three suspects—Foy, along with 21-year-olds Amir Swift and Giani McGowan, both from Baltimore—stealing over $1,000 worth of merchandise. What should have been a routine arrest turned into chaos when Troopers located their vehicle and attempted to pull it over.

Instead of complying, Foy led officers on a dangerous high-speed chase down I-81. Troopers eventually deployed spike strips, bringing the van to a halt. Swift and McGowan immediately surrendered, but Foy remained inside and, without warning, opened fire. What followed was a tense and bloody exchange of gunfire, with bullets flying in both directions in full public view.

Tragically, Troopers Pack and Amarose were both seriously injured during the exchange. Thanks to quick-thinking officers using tourniquets and trauma kits, both men survived. Trooper Pack has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home. Trooper Amarose, however, remains hospitalized in serious condition as the community rallies behind his recovery.

Lives Changed Forever: Honoring the Brave and Reflecting on a Tragic Loss

District Attorney Ian Brink stated that the officers’ use of force was “100% justified” and that their bravery likely saved more lives. As investigators work to piece together the full timeline, one thing is clear: the consequences of this violent night will be felt for years to come. A young man is dead. Two officers are forever changed. Families on all sides are left shattered.

Lamar Foy, though responsible for a violent act, was also someone’s son, someone’s friend — a life lost to desperation and a storm of choices. His death marks a tragic end, and a warning to others about how quickly things can spiral out of control.