On 09.13.2023 at 0835 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to the area of 4101 Strawbridge Court for a report of shots fired. The York County 911 Center received additional reports indicated a male had chased a female into 4101 Strawbridge Court.
The first responding officer on scene approached the home and attempted to make contact, a male subject yelled to the officer that he had a hostage and not to enter the home. Officers quickly set a perimeter around the home and continued attempts to make contact with the occupants. Communication could not be established.
The NYCRPD requested the assistance of the York County Quick Response Team (QRT). QRT Negotiators and tactical officers responded to the scene as well as the York County OEM Mobile Command Unit.
QRT Negotiators were able to make telephone contact with male subject who continued to make threats towards the female and himself. Negotiators were able to maintain contact with the subject for nearly 5 hours.
At approximately 1420 hours, tactical officers heard the sound of gunfire within the home. Teams forced entry to the home. Teams located a deceased female on the stairway between the 2nd and 3rd floors. The male was located in a 3rd floor bedroom with a self inflicted gun shot wound.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the York County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators located two handguns in the residence. A .380 caliber pistol was used to shoot the female. This weapon was reported stolen in 1984 in Renton, Washington. A .22 caliber pistol was also recovered. This was the handgun used by the male to take his own life.
The female victim is identified as Megan Saunders, age 29. Saunders was currently living at 4101 Strawbridge Court.
The male assailant is identified as Devon Elias, age 31. Elias was living in Prince Georges County Maryland.
Megan Saunders and Devon Elias shared a child. Megan Saunders had a PFA against Elias. The PFA was issued in Baltimore County Maryland. Saunders and Elias had a scheduled court hearing at 10 AM on September 13, 2023 in Maryland.
The Northern York County Regional Police Department was assisted at the scene by the York County QRT, York County District Attorney’s Office, PA State Police SERT, York County 911, York County OEM, York County Sheriff’s Office, Dover Township Fire Department and Fire Police, and Dover Township Public Works.
A special thanks to Mission BBQ and the Fat Boys Pizza and Hoagies for providing food for the responders.
The investigation into this incident continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northern York County Regional Police Department at our tip line at 717.467.8355(TELL) or tips@nycrpd.org. Reference Case # 2023-038440
