Tragic Incident: Officer Fatally Shot During Hostage Situation at Pennsylvania Hospital

A man entered the intensive care unit of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, on Saturday armed with a pistol and zip ties. He took several staff members hostage, leading to a tragic shootout that involved police. The man, identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, was killed by police, who were responding to the emergency.

During the incident, three hospital workers, including a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian, were shot. Two police officers were also injured. One officer, Andrew Duarte from the West York Borough Police, sadly lost his life in the confrontation. Officials expressed deep sorrow for this loss, highlighting Duarte’s bravery and dedication as a law enforcement officer.

District Attorney Tim Barker provided details about the situation. He stated that Archangel-Ortiz had previously visited the hospital earlier in the week regarding another individual and had intentionally targeted the staff. When police arrived, they found a female staff member being held at gunpoint with zip ties around her wrists.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the attack, denouncing it as an act of cowardice. He praised the bravery of both the healthcare workers and the police who rushed into the danger to protect others.

This incident adds to a growing concern about violence in healthcare settings. UPMC Memorial, a relatively new facility, opened its doors in 2019 and is part of a troubling trend seen across many medical centers in the U.S. Hospitals have become increasingly dangerous places for workers, who experience more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than employees in any other profession according to the CDC.

Gun violence in hospitals is not a new issue. In recent years, there have been several tragic incidents, including a shooting in New Hampshire where a security guard was killed, and another in Dallas where two hospital workers lost their lives. These events highlight the need for greater safety measures in healthcare environments.