New details revealed after two Pennsylvania State Troopers shot

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania State Troopers’ use of lethal force was necessary to stop a gunman who opened fire after a high-speed chase in Franklin County, according to the Franklin County District Attorney.

Two Troopers were shot multiple times during what was described as a “fierce gunfight” by Exit 3 on Interstate 81 in Antrim Township, near a Sheetz, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris said during a press conference Thursday.

The two injured Troopers were identified as 23-year-old Thomas Pack and 31-year-old Lucas Amarose during a Thursday press conference. Pack was released from the hospital and is recovering at home, while Amarose remains hospitalized in serious condition.

Pack became a member of PSP in June 2024, while Amarose has been a Trooper since 2017. Amarose is a Mt. Carmel native and played offensive line for Wilkes University football.

The gunman, 31-year-old Lamar Foy, of Maryland, opened fire at Troopers who had broken the driver’s side window of the van to try and get him out.

Despite being shot multiple times, Troopers were able to return fire and eventually kill Foy after he got out of the van and ran towards them while firing his gun. A third Trooper was also involved in the shooting and they were not injured.

“Absolutely necessary”, Franklin County District Attorney Ian Brink said about the Troopers’ lethal use of force. It was “100% justified, no question in my mind,” Brink said.

Paris said that tourniquets and trauma first aid kits were critical in saving the two Troopers’ lives.

Prior to the shooting and chase, Troopers were looking for a van that was involved in a reported retail theft at the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Guilford Township around 6:14 p.m. When Troopers found the van on I-81, they tried pulling it over.

Two women – 21-year-old Amir Swift and 21-year-old Giani McGowan, both of Baltimore – were also involved in the theft and were inside the van during the chase. They currently face retail theft and drug charges.

It was also reported to State Police that the trio left the area in a Chevrolet van headed toward I-81.

Retail theft leads to chase, shooting

Court docs filed Thursday in Magisterial District Judge Annie Shockey’s Office show, that Swift and McGowan were seen on store surveillance video allegedly putting women’s clothing in a shopping cart. They then met up with Foy, who State Police say put men’s clothing in the cart, and then pushed the cart out of the store. State Police say the trio then entered the van and left with the merchandise.

The stolen merchandise was worth $1,066, court documents noted.

That van was spotted on I-81 near Exit 16 by one of the Troopers, and they tried to pull the vehicle over, but a high-speed chase began. With the use of spike strips, Troopers were able to bring the van to a stop by Exit 3 on I-81.

State Police say McGowan and Swift then got out of the vehicle and complied with the Troopers’ commands, but Foy allegedly fired a handgun at the Troopers, injuring two of them. State Police said he was killed when Troopers were able to return fire at him.

Drugs found in van

Troopers stated in the court documents they found a large quantity of “THC, plastic bags filled with unknown white powdery substance, brown powdery substance and unmarked capsules filled with unknown substances.” They said they also found a large amount of money and other drug paraphernalia.

Swift and McGowan both face felony charges of retail theft, conspiracy and manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver. They also face two misdemeanor drug charges.

They are both in Franklin County Jail, with each of their bail denied. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Oct. 21.

WellSpan and Pennsylvania State Police both provided an update on the injured Troopers, saying one has been released and that the other remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Statements came in overnight from officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro, Franklin County Commissioners and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, thanking the State Police and praying for their recovery.

Antrim Township is a few miles from the Pennsylvania-Maryland border and approximately 70 miles southwest of Harrisburg.