HARRISBURG, Pa. — A memorial service is scheduled for later this week to honor Andrew Duarte, a Pennsylvania police officer who tragically lost his life while responding to a hostage situation at a hospital. The incident occurred at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, where a gunman opened fire, injuring several hospital staff members and taking hostages.
Officer Duarte’s funeral is set for Friday at a church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. While the ceremony will be broadcast online, it will not be accessible to the general public. The arrangements restrict attendance to Duarte’s family and close friends, law enforcement officials, dignitaries, and special guests as per a joint statement from his family and the West York Borough Police Department. A ceremonial police procession will be held prior to the service.
The autopsy conducted on Monday revealed Officer Duarte, aged 30, succumbed to gunshot wounds to the torso inflicted on Saturday. He was pronounced dead shortly after being transferred to another hospital. Duarte’s service in West York began in 2022, following a five-year tenure with the Denver Police Department. Recognized for his dedication to curbing impaired driving, he received a “hero award” from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Colorado.
The suspect, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, was confronted and fatally shot by officers after he had entered the hospital’s ICU with a firearm and zip ties. In addition to Duarte, five others were wounded, including officers from neighboring police departments, and hospital staff members. Archangel-Ortiz resided just blocks from Duarte’s workplace, with his autopsy scheduled for Tuesday.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed that Archangel-Ortiz had recent contact with the ICU regarding another person’s medical needs, though the details and motive remain undisclosed. Barker stated that the use of fatal force by the officers involved was justified and necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Described as a hero by both family and community, Duarte was originally from Oakland, California. He held a degree in criminal justice and had passions that included photography and hiking. Memorial donations have been directed to organizations dedicated to combating drunk driving. His obituary highlighted his achievements and personal interests, mentioning his surviving parents and girlfriend.
In the wake of the incident, the Northern York County Regional Police Chief, David Lash, reported that one of the injured officers had been discharged from the hospital and is expected to fully recover. Meanwhile, a post by Chief Todd King of the Springettsbury Township Police Department confirmed the other wounded officer is recuperating at home.
This shooting adds to an alarming trend of violence in America’s hospitals and medical facilities, which have increasingly faced security challenges. Such incidents underscore the vulnerability of healthcare workers, who, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, experience more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than professionals in any other field.
