WEST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)– West York Borough Police officer Andrew Duarte died in the line of duty on Saturday after a man opened fire and took staff hostage inside the UPMC Memorial Hospital ICU in York County on Saturday.
York County District Attorney Timothy Barker confirmed that two other officers from York County and three UPMC staff members were shot and are all in stable condition. A fourth UPMC staff member was injured after falling during the incident.
The gunman, identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, was armed with a semiautomatic handgun and was killed by police as they responded.
The incident began around 10:35 a.m. when Archangel-Ortiz entered UPMC Memorial Hospital with a bag that contained the handgun and zip ties. Barker says Archangel-Ortiz proceeded to the ICU where he held staff hostage and shot a doctor, nurse, and custodian.
UPMC officers responded and were shot at, which led to police from multiple area departments responding. As officers entered the area, Archangel-Ortiz held a staff member at gunpoint as their hands were tied with zip ties.
Officers opened fire and fatally struck Archangel-Ortiz. Duarte was fatally shot in the exchange of gunfire, as were two other officers. The two officers who were injured were members of the Northern York and Springettsbury Township Police departments.
WellSpan York says they received five patients for care as a result of the shooting shortly after 11 a.m. Of the UPMC staff who were shot, one was a doctor who was grazed by a bullet.
Barker says Archangel-Ortiz had previously been at the ICU with another individual and that the shooting was “targeted.” It’s not clear who he had previously been at the ICU with.
Court records indicated Archangel-Ortiz had served short periods of incarceration and was cited by West York Borough Police earlier this month for driving with a revoked or suspended license.
“This is a huge loss to our community,” Barker said. “It is absolutely clear, and beyond any and all doubt, that the officers were justified in taking their action using deadly force.”
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Duarte is the only officer in the West York Borough Police Department’s history to be killed in the line of duty. The department has operated since 1917.
In a statement, UPMC says no patients were injured, and the hospital is now secure. Barker noted that the incident occurred in an area where patients were being treated.
“If you are an employee of UPMC Memorial and are not scheduled to work today, please stay home,’ the hospital said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “A hotline has been established at 717-849-5338 or 717-849-5334 for families of patients seeking more information. Families of patients arriving on site should report to the parking lot of the OSS building across the street from the hospital.”
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Governor Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Dave Sunday responded to the scene. Shapiro says the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency are on the ground and responding with local and federal partners.
Shapiro commended the officer’s response, saying “Because of their work lives were saved here today at UPMC Memorial Hospital… sadly we lost one of those heroes today.”
Shapiro added, “Officer Duarte was the best of us.”
The Governor noted that his office has been in communication with the White House regarding the situation and that mental health resources will be available for those impacted.
Sunday released a statement on Saturday saying the violence and trauma were “unimaginable.”
“Today, I join all Pennsylvanians and the county of York in mourning the loss of community hero and dedicated public servant Officer Andrew Duarte. We are also praying for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries in the incident. Such violence and trauma in a place dedicated to hope and healing is unimaginable. I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer Duarte, who was doing his duty answering a mutual aid call in a neighboring township. I pray for the Northern York County Regional Police and Springettsbury Township Police officers and the three hospital workers who are recovering from their injuries. May we stand together in this heartbreaking moment, humbled by their strength and bravery.”
“Pennsylvania lost another hero today,” said Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Joseph Regan and York County FOP Lodge #73 President Trent Bushman. “Officer Duarte’s bravery and commitment to upholding the law are a testament to the selflessness shown daily by those who have dedicated themselves to protecting and serving. Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. We stand together with the West York Borough Police Department in honoring Officer Duarte’s sacrifice.”
UPMC Memorial, which opened in August 2019, is a 104-bed hospital with all private patient rooms. The five-story facility provides medical care, cardiology and vascular services, chronic disease management, surgical services, and treatment for patients in need of long-term acute care, per UPMC.
UPMC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has more than 40 hospitals and 800 doctors across Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, according to UPMC.
This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available
