A tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial hospital in York, Pennsylvania resulted in the death of a police officer on Saturday. Officer Andrew Duarte, a member of the West York borough police department, was fatally shot while responding to the incident. Duarte had served in law enforcement for six years, having joined the West York borough police department in 2022 after five years with the Denver police department in Colorado.
The shooting unfolded at the five-story, 104-bed hospital, which opened in 2019. While no patients were injured during the incident, authorities swiftly took control of the situation. As the community grapples with this loss, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was briefed on the events and made his way to the hospital.
Officer Duarte's passing has deeply affected the West York community. Shawn Mauck, the borough manager, expressed the collective sorrow of those mourning Duarte’s loss.
"We all have broken hearts and are grieving at his loss," said Shawn Mauck.
The incident highlights a troubling trend of gun violence impacting US hospitals and medical centers. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that healthcare workers experience more non-fatal injuries from workplace violence than any other profession. The recent wave of hospital shootings in 2022 and 2023 underscores this growing concern.
York, known for its creation of York Peppermint Patties in 1940, is home to approximately 40,000 residents. As the city mourns Officer Duarte, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. In response to the shooting, hospital officials advised employees not scheduled to work to remain at home as a precautionary measure.