PA Hospital Attack: Nurses Share Terrifying Accounts

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a nurse recently recounted her traumatic experience during an armed attack within an intensive care unit in a hospital on social media. She described being forcibly used as a human shield by the assailant, with her arms bound and a gun pressed against her as they confronted police officers.

The nurse, Tosha Trostle, shared on Facebook that she pleaded with the attacker to release her as he threatened her with a weapon. Upon facing the police, she heard gunshots and hitting bullet casings, filling the air with smoke.

“I fell to the floor beneath the shooter’s weight. The officers urged me to flee, and I struggled to escape from under him,” Trostle recounted. “His cold hand brushed my face as I pushed away with my feet.” Following this, Trostle struggled to regain her footing, falling twice before a responding officer helped her to safety.

Attempts to reach Trostle through phone and social media remain unanswered. A fellow nurse from the hospital, choosing to remain unnamed due to lack of authority to speak on the incident, confirmed the authenticity of Trostle’s post.

Authorities reported that on Saturday morning, the perpetrator, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, brought a firearm and zip ties to UPMC Memorial Hospital in York. The situation escalated into a standoff with police officers, culminating in his death by gunfire. Tragically, West York Patrolman Andrew Duarte, 30, lost his life, and several others, including two officers and three hospital staff, sustained injuries.

Trostle detailed that she initially responded to a disturbance with the assumption it was a typical hospital incident, not expecting an active shooter situation. She was caught off guard when she saw the attacker holding her colleague, Jess, at gunpoint.

Jessica Breighner, Trostle’s co-worker, was compelled to secure Trostle with zip ties. “The fear in her eyes was palpable, beyond mere words,” Trostle recalled. As she lay near the attacker, his red sneakers were etched in her memory during what seemed to be a moment of chaos as he reloaded the weapon.

Jason Huff, Breighner’s partner, described the assault in another Facebook post, revealing that the gun misfired multiple times when the assailant aimed at Breighner’s head. Taking the opportunity, Breighner managed to break free and escape.

Huff shared that prior to fleeing, Breighner overheard the armed man speaking about his unwillingness to return home and warning others to clean out his place of residence.

York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated Archangel-Ortiz had recent medical involvement with the intensive care unit concerning another person but did not elaborate further. When questioned about the nurses’ experiences, UPMC responded by emphasizing their commitment to safety and privacy, directing specific inquiries to law enforcement.

Trostle recounted how the attacker aggressively directed her movements, pushing her against a wall, which bore her colleague Breighner’s photograph among other leaders. He instructed her to lead him to the busiest floor while reassuring her.

When they encountered the police, the officers had their weapons drawn. After the confrontation, Trostle was guided down the stairs, but the incident continues to haunt her, clouding her and her family’s peace.

Reflecting on the events, Trostle mentioned her physical injuries pale in comparison to the emotional and psychological scars left behind, expressing deep sorrow and guilt for the trauma endured by all, especially Officer Duarte, who sacrificed his life.

Officer Andrew Duarte’s funeral is slated for Friday in York, honoring his bravery and service.