An early-morning house fire at 2 North Main Street in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, on August 3, 2025, left two adults unconscious on the second floor and resulted in the death of 54-year-old Michael Shores. Fire crews arrived about 6 a.m., pulled the two adults out and rushed them to WellSpan York Hospital. Shores was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.; his companion, 41-year-old Jennifer Troch, was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m.

Autopsy results released the next day at Lehigh Valley Hospital found that Shores died from a gunshot wound to the head and that the fire was not the cause of death. Investigators classified the incident as a combined arson and death investigation and involved Southern Regional Police, the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal and the York County Coroner’s Office. Authorities described preliminary findings as indicating the incident was isolated and linked to activities within the residence. The fire escalated to two alarms and injured at least one firefighter; first responders also rescued a pet.

Community tributes noted that Shores was the longtime proprietor of the Beef Barons barbecue stand at Baltimore’s Farmers’ Market. As of the latest public updates, no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. If anyone has information about the fire or the circumstances that led to Michael Shores being shot, please share what is known with investigators.