YORK, Pa. — The individual who entered a Pennsylvania hospital armed with zip ties and a firearm over the weekend was reported to have had prior interactions with the hospital’s intensive care unit. This incident resulted in the taking of staff members hostage and culminated in a shootout that tragically claimed the life of a police officer and left several others injured.
Investigators did not provide new details on Sunday regarding the motive behind the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, which occurred on Saturday morning. Among the injured were a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two law enforcement officers.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker held a press conference on Saturday and revealed that the shooter, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, seemed to have interacted with the ICU for a “medical purpose involving another person.” However, specific details regarding Archangel-Ortiz’s connection to that individual were not disclosed due to privacy regulations.
Though the inquiry is still at an initial phase, Barker mentioned that after analyzing surveillance footage and gathering statements from both officers and hospital employees, it appeared that the assailant had deliberately targeted the hospital staff.
As of Sunday, reports indicated that the injured hospital staff members were in stable condition, and UPMC officials shared that they were “progressing in their recovery.” The hospital has remained closed to visitors, with a statement emphasizing the importance of family and visitor presence in aiding patient recovery.
Barker noted that the hospital’s security personnel were the first responders on the scene; after coming under fire from the gunman, they called for additional support. Numerous officers from various agencies promptly arrived. When they attempted to enter the ICU, the assailant was holding a female staff member hostage, demanding that police remain stationed behind the doors. The officers complied in hopes of ensuring her safety.
Eventually, Archangel-Ortiz exited the ICU hallway with the staff member, whose hands were tied with zip ties. As the situation escalated, the officers were left with no options and subsequently opened fire, resulting in the death of the assailant.
The slain officer was identified as Andrew Duarte, a 30-year-old member of the West York Borough Police Department. He had joined the department in 2022 following five years of service with the Denver Police Department. Duarte was recognized in 2021 with a “hero award” from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his dedication to impaired driving enforcement in Colorado.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Officer Duarte. Two additional officers, who sustained injuries during the incident, are from the Northern York County Regional and Springettsbury Township police departments, and both were reported to be in stable condition, though their names have not been disclosed.
This incident is part of a concerning trend of gun violence in U.S. hospitals and medical facilities, which have increasingly faced challenges related to security. Health care environments have become some of the nation’s most hazardous workplaces, with health care personnel experiencing more nonfatal injuries from violence than those in any other field, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
