Hostage Situation at Pennsylvania Hospital Ends in Tragedy
A man wielding a pistol and armed with zip ties entered the intensive care unit at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, taking staff members hostage before being fatally shot by police. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, ended with the death of a police officer, as confirmed by authorities.
According to York County District Attorney Tim Barker, the attacker, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, shot and wounded three hospital employees—a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian—along with two other officers. A fourth hospital staff member sustained injuries from a fall during the chaos.
Barker detailed that Archangel-Ortiz was holding a female staff member at gunpoint with her hands bound when officers arrived and engaged in a shootout. The district attorney stated, “It is absolutely clear, and beyond any and all doubt, that the officers were justified in taking their action using deadly force.”
The investigation, although still in its early stages, suggests that Archangel-Ortiz had prior interactions with the hospital that week for reasons related to another individual, indicating that his actions may have been premeditated.
Community Mourning and Response
The slain officer was identified as Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department. Duarte, a seasoned law enforcement professional, had served with the Denver Police Department for five years before joining the West York department in 2022.
West York Borough Manager Shawn Mauck expressed grief at Duarte’s passing, stating, “We all have broken hearts and are grieving at his loss.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also met with Duarte’s family and the injured officers, commending their bravery and stating, “Their willingness to run toward danger helped save the lives of others.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a makeshift memorial sprung up at the West York Borough Police Department, where community members like Linda Shields paid their respects. Shields, whose son is a police officer, reflected on the loss, saying, “He was so young. It makes no sense at all.”
Rising Threats in Healthcare Settings
UPMC Memorial, a relatively new facility having opened in 2019, is located in York—a city known for its historical ties to the creation of York Peppermint Patties. The hospital shooting is part of a broader trend of increasing violence in healthcare settings across the United States, highlighting the growing risk faced by medical professionals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that healthcare workers endure more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than any other profession. This particular incident echoes several other recent attacks on healthcare facilities, which have brought attention to the safety challenges in these environments.
Governor Shapiro condemned the attack, labeling it “the act of a coward” and underscoring the urgent need to address safety issues in healthcare workplaces.
For more on the wave of violence in medical settings, visit AP News.
