Gunfire shattered the calm of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, as police confronted a gunman holding a hospital staff member hostage. The deadly encounter occurred when officers engaged Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, who had bound a female staff member with zip ties. In the ensuing shootout, Archangel-Ortiz and a police officer lost their lives, while several others were injured.
The chaos unfolded when Archangel-Ortiz stormed into the hospital, targeting staff members with whom he had previous contact earlier in the week. The motive appears to be intentional, as investigators believe he specifically aimed at the workers. The female staff member held hostage sustained injuries during the confrontation, along with three other hospital employees—a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian—who were caught in the crossfire.
Tragically, Andrew Duarte, an officer from the West York Borough Police Department, died in the line of duty. Duarte, a law enforcement veteran, joined the department in 2022 after serving five years with the Denver Police Department. His commitment to public safety was noted by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who met with Duarte's grieving family and expressed his appreciation for the bravery displayed by officers during the crisis.
"Their willingness to run toward danger helped save the lives of others," said Governor Josh Shapiro.
"I’m grateful to them and all law enforcement who answered the call today in York," he added.
The violence at UPMC Memorial is part of a troubling trend of gun-related incidents sweeping across American hospitals and medical centers. This incident marks one of more than 35 mass shootings recorded in the United States this year. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as one involving four or more victims either wounded or killed.
Additionally, two other officers were injured during the altercation with Archangel-Ortiz, highlighting the perilous nature of their duty. Tim Barker, a local community leader, acknowledged the profound impact of Duarte's death, stating:
"This is a huge loss to our community."
The investigation into this violent episode is still in its early stages. Authorities are working to piece together Archangel-Ortiz's motivations and the sequence of events leading up to the attack. Initial findings suggest that Archangel-Ortiz had visited the hospital's ICU earlier for reasons related to another individual.
This tragic event underscores the escalating threat of workplace violence faced by healthcare professionals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers endure more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than any other profession. This alarming trend reflects a broader wave of violence infiltrating sectors once considered safe havens.