YORK, Pa. — New details emerged regarding the tragic shooting incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital, where a police officer died while responding to a hostage situation. West York Patrolman Andrew W. Duarte was struck by friendly fire during the chaos, which also resulted in the death of the assailant, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49.
The alarming confrontation unfolded on February 22. During an investigation, York County District Attorney Tim Barker revealed that Duarte was unintentionally shot by a fellow officer while they were attempting to neutralize the threat posed by Archangel-Ortiz. As he held a hospital worker at gunpoint, the suspect was shot multiple times, and in the crossfire, Duarte was also hit.
Barker explained that officers, stationed just outside the intensive care unit (ICU), fired 22 rounds in an attempt to subdue the gunman. Archangel-Ortiz was hit at least 15 times, while the brave officers managed to spare the hostage from injury. However, the prosecutor acknowledged that one officer’s shotgun blast inadvertently claimed the life of Patrolman Duarte.
Barker praised the responding officers as heroes, emphasizing their willingness to confront the assailant despite being unaware that his gun was unloaded. “Their actions were entirely justified given the situation,” he stated, highlighting the bravery displayed by law enforcement amid immediate danger.
Hundreds gathered to honor Duarte during his funeral, celebrating his commitment to public safety and his sacrifice. Barker described Archangel-Ortiz as having unleashed “a torrent of evil” during an episode that endangered multiple lives, having previously shot another hospital employee in the leg.
The rampage began following the death of Archangel-Ortiz’s partner, prompting him to take desperate and violent actions in the hospital. According to Barker, the gun used in the attack had been stolen years prior. Archangel-Ortiz reportedly displayed his weapon after receiving news of his partner’s placement in the morgue, initiating a tense standoff with hospital staff.
As the situation escalated, he fired at a doctor, narrowly missing, before he forcibly zip-tied some employees and threatened others. Some workers managed to escape and hide, while others were kept in precarious situations as law enforcement coordinated efforts to address the unfolding crisis.
Barker noted that Archangel-Ortiz had displayed no previous signs of violent behavior, which left authorities with little understanding of his actions. “Sometimes, there simply is no explanation,” he remarked, stressing that the assailant had been prepared to cause more harm.
Survivors from the incident have begun sharing their experiences on social media, shedding light on the psychological toll this attack has taken on healthcare workers. Many expressed their trauma and the ongoing challenges they face in the wake of rising violence against medical staff across the nation.
One nurse, Tosha Trostle, recounted being held at gunpoint and the terrifying moments as officers confronted the suspect. “I remember begging for my life; it was a surreal nightmare,” she shared, illustrating the profound impact of the incident that has left many in the community grappling with grief and fear.
As awareness grows surrounding violence in healthcare settings, the York incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for measures to protect those who serve on the front lines of care.