(Image via cnn.com)
Staff Writer: Akshit Bagga
Email: abagga@umassd.edu
On Saturday, February 22nd at 10:30 AM, a 49-year-old armed man walked up to the ICU ward of UPMC Memorial Hospital and took staff hostage at gunpoint, later opening fire at three hospital workers一a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian.
When confronted by the police, he fired shots at the officers, injuring two policemen and killing one.
The incident occurred at UPMC Memorial hospital located in the West Manchester Township of York district in Pennsylvania. The shooter has since been identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz.
Ortiz arrived at the hospital with a bag carrying a semi-automatic gun and zip ties.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker explained that Ortiz held an ICU employee hostage at gunpoint and ordered police officers to step back when they were trying to breach the ICU room.
He was killed once he stepped out into the hallway.
A notice posted on the hospital’s website confirms that all the injured are stable and have been released from the hospital. A hospital representative confirmed that no patient was injured in the ordeal.
The deceased police officer has been identified as 30-year-old Andrew Duarte.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met with Andrew’s parents. Shapiro described Andrew as a courageous officer and said, “He was someone who put on the uniform of service and went out to try and keep his neighbors safe. He is to be commended for a life of service, albeit cut way too short from a life of service to others. We’re deeply grateful to him.”
Andrew Duarte joined the Pennsylvania Police Department in 2022 after serving in the Denver Police Department for five years. In 2021, Andrew was awarded with the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hero award for his contribution in impaired driving enforcement.
The Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Joseph Reagan and York County Lodge President Trent Bushman issued a joint statement through X which read:
Pennsylvania lost another hero today. 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.
Witnesses described the scene as total chaos. Betsy Small, who was there to visit her mother, started hearing strange noises, alarms went off and saw a lot of activity at the hospital.
Betsy said, “I thought, ‘Oh, something’s going on in here,’ but you never think it’s going to be shooting, not in a hospital.”
While an 11:41 AM text from her daughter informed her that the shooter had been taken down, she wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital until after 3 PM.
The investigators believe that this is a targeted attack. Ortiz was in contact with the ICU ward during the previous week when he had visited a family member at the hospital. He was upset about the care which that individual had received at the hospital.
While Ortiz did not have any criminal history, he had previously been charged with driving on a suspended license, harassment, and contempt of a court order.
State Senator Dawn Keefer and State Representative Seth Grove said in a joint statement, “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.”This incident is the 37th mass shooting crime in the first two months of 2025.