A tragic shooting unfolded at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, in the United States,on Saturday morning when a gunman took medical staff hostage and opened fire, killing a police officer and injuring five others before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
Authorities identified the shooter as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz.
According to York County District Attorney Tim Barker, two law enforcement officers, an ICU doctor, a nurse, and a custodian sustained gunshot wounds. Another hospital employee was hurt during a fall amid the chaos.
Ortiz entered the hospital carrying a bag containing a handgun and zip ties and proceeded directly to the ICU, where he held staff members hostage. As officers prepared to intervene, Ortiz seized an ICU employee at gunpoint and ordered law enforcement to back off, Barker explained.
“They did, so the person being held hostage would not be harmed, and were attempting to try to engage in discussion with Mr. Archangel Ortiz,” Barker stated. He noted that the hostage’s hands were bound with zip ties.
When Ortiz emerged into the hallway, still holding the hostage at gunpoint, police officers opened fire, fatally wounding him.
While the motive remains unclear, investigators believe the attack was deliberately aimed at the ICU. Barker revealed that Ortiz had been in contact with the ICU the previous week for medical reasons related to another individual.
Hospital spokesperson Susan Manko assured that the facility was secure and confirmed that no patients were harmed during the incident.
The officer who lost his life was identified as Andrew Duarte. His department confirmed his passing on Facebook, noting that he had joined in 2022 after serving five years with the Denver Police Department.
Duarte had previously received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving hero award in 2021 for his efforts in combating impaired driving.
At the news conference, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro honored Duarte’s service, saying, “He was someone who put on the uniform of service and went out to try and keep his neighbors safe… We’re deeply grateful to him.”
The Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Joseph Regan and York County Lodge #73 President Trent Bushman described Duarte’s actions as heroic, stating, “Officer Duarte’s bravery and commitment to upholding the law are a testament to the selflessness shown daily by those who have dedicated themselves to protecting and serving.”
Witnesses Describe the Scene
Hospital visitor Jayden Robertson and his grandmother were visiting his aunt on the fourth floor when an announcement warned of an intruder with a weapon. Initially, they assumed it was a minor situation until a friend sent Robertson a news alert about the shooting.
Peering outside, Robertson saw officers retrieving guns and shields from their vehicles.
Another visitor, Betsy Small, was at the hospital with her mother when she heard unusual noises, followed by alarms. Through the window, she saw people running, and a voice over the intercom announced a “lockdown.”
“I thought, oh something’s going on in here, but you never think it’s going to be a shooting, not in a hospital,” Small, 58, told CNN.
As police arrived, Small crouched near the window for safety while her mother remained asleep. She observed nurses rushing back and forth and later received a text from her daughter at 11:41 a.m. confirming that the shooter had been “taken out.”
By 3 p.m., Small was still unable to leave the hospital and saw nurses consoling each other in the hallways. “I feel sad for everybody, honestly I do. It’s a sad situation,” she expressed.
Rising Gun Violence and Healthcare Worker Safety
The deadly hospital shooting adds to the growing number of mass shootings in the U.S. this year. According to the Gun Violence Archive, it was one of at least 37 such incidents in just the first two months of the year.
The National Fraternal Order of Police reported that at least 31 officers were shot in the line of duty in January alone, with two fatalities.
For healthcare workers, the attack underscores an alarming trend. The American Hospital Association reports that healthcare professionals are five times more likely to face workplace violence compared to workers in other industries.
Governor Shapiro acknowledged the psychological toll on hospital staff, stating, “I know that the trauma that the health care workers here today had to deal with is not something that goes away overnight.” He pledged that state and local officials would ensure they receive the necessary resources to recover.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Dawn Keefer and state Rep. Seth Grove expressed their condolences, saying, “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.”
They also commended first responders for their swift action in securing the hospital and treating the wounded.
UPMC Memorial, a 104-bed hospital that opened in August 2019, provides emergency and specialty medical services to the York community.
The city, located in southern Pennsylvania, is now mourning the loss of a dedicated officer while grappling with the impact of violence in a place meant for healing.
