Officer, Gunman Dead, 5 Injured in Pa. Hospital Shooting

York County, PA (WorkersCompensation.com) – A police officer was killed and four staff members were injured after a gunman took hostages and opened fire inside a Pennsylvania hospital Feb. 22.

Officials said the gunman, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz was killed in the incident that saw numerous police departments respond, and another two police officers receive injuries.

“Here in York County today we saw the very best and the very worst in humanity," Governor Josh Shapiro said in a press conference.

Ortiz entered UPMC Memorial Hospital in York around 10:45 a.m. with a bag including zip ties and a handgun, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said.

Once inside the hospital, the shooter went to straight to the ICU and took several staff members hostage, Barker said. He then opened fire striking three hospital workers – a doctor, who was grazed by a bullet; a nurse; and a custodian. A fourth worker was injured after falling. All are in stable condition, officials said.

UPMC security responded to the situation, and Ortiz fired on them as well, officials said. The hospital called for backup, to which officers from other York County police departments responded. When officers moved in on the scene, Ortiz demanded they get back.

As officers retreated, Ortiz brought a staff member, whose hands were zip-tied behind her back, into the hallway. Ortiz was holding a gun to her head, Barker said. At the sight of the hostage, officers opened fire on Ortiz, killing him. During the course of the shoot-out three officers were struck by gunfire, including Officer Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department. Duarte died from his injuries. The other two officers were listed in stable condition.

Barker said Ortiz appeared to be targeting the ICU after coming in contact with the department earlier in the week. Barker referred to the incident as a visit for “a medical purpose involving another person.”

“It is absolutely clear and beyond any and all doubt that the officers were justified in taking their action using deadly force,” Barker said after reviewing the surveillance video.

The hospital confirmed it had treated four people in the incident.

"Shortly after 11:00 a.m., WellSpan York Hospital clinical teams were notified of an active shooter situation with injuries at a nearby hospital," WellSpan York Hospital confirmed it treated four people injured in the incident. "At approximately 12:00 p.m., the first patient arrived from this incident for treatment at the hospital. Emergency Department teams have since evaluated 4 individuals for treatment. We are unable to share details about specific patients due to HIPAA privacy limitations."

The slain officer, Duarte, had been with the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 after five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado.

"Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to West York Borough Police Officer, Andrew Duarte's family and all of our brothers and sisters in the West York Borough Police Department that have lost a comrade and friend, and furthermore our fellow Borough agencies that have lost a colleague," West York Borough said in a Facebook post. "Our community grieves the loss of a hero."

UPMC Memorial said it was providing assistance for its employees and had asked all employees not scheduled to work to stay home.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro encouraged everyone to stay out of the area.

“Follow the direction of local authorities and stay clear of the area,” he wrote ahead of the press conference. “We will share more updates as they become available.”

State Senator Dawn Keefer and State Representative Seth Grove sent a statement to CBS 21 saying their hearts go out to those injured.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at UPMC this morning. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” the two legislators wrote. “As we continue to monitor this heartbreaking situation, we join our community in praying for UPMC patients and staff, those who were injured and for the loved ones coping with an unthinkable act. We stand ready to support those impacted in any way we can.”

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