A devastating shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, claimed the life of a police officer and left five others injured after a gunman took medical staff hostage and opened fire.
The chaos began when 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz entered the ICU with a handgun and zip ties, taking staff members hostage. West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, a six-year law enforcement veteran, was fatally shot during the standoff. Ortiz was also killed when officers opened fire to end the crisis.
Authorities confirmed Ortiz had been in contact with the ICU in the previous week regarding a medical matter. During the standoff, he threatened to kill a hostage, preventing officers from breaching the unit. When he later emerged into the hallway with a hospital worker at gunpoint, police fired, ending the threat.
Among the wounded were two police officers, a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and another hospital employee injured in the chaos. Fortunately, all are expected to recover.
Officer Duarte, 29, previously served with the Denver Police Department for five years before joining West York Borough PD. Highly respected in his field, he received the MADD Hero Award in 2021 for his work in DUI and drug enforcement. His department honored his sacrifice, urging the community to leave flowers at the station in his memory.
“Our community grieves the loss of a hero,” the department shared on Facebook. “We ask that the community come together in solidarity, respect, and prayer at this time as broken hearts mourn.”
Governor Josh Shapiro also paid tribute, calling Duarte “the best of us.” He wrote on X, “This morning in York County, we saw the best and worst of humanity. Officer Duarte’s willingness to run toward danger helped save lives.”
The Fraternal Order of Police echoed the sentiment: “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.”
Patients and visitors described the terrifying moments before the shooting. Jayden Robertson and his grandmother were visiting a family member when an intercom announcement warned of an intruder. Initially thinking it was a minor security issue, they quickly realized the severity when police swarmed the hospital.
Elsewhere, Betsy Small was visiting her mother when she heard commotion and saw people running. A lockdown was announced, sending panic through the floor. “You never think it’s going to be a shooting, not in a hospital,” she said.
For over an hour, Small watched nurses rushing through the halls, some in tears. Her daughter texted her at 11:41 a.m. to say the shooter had been “taken out.”
“UPMC is grateful to all the law enforcement officers and to our staff who courageously ensured their own safety and the safety of our patients and visitors,” the hospital shared on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone exposed to this terrible event.”
State Senator Dawn Keefer and Representative Seth Grove expressed their sorrow: “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.”
Despite the tragedy, officials confirmed no patients were harmed, and the hospital is now secure.
This harrowing event follows another tragic shooting at Antioch High School in Tennessee on January 22, 2025.
The victim, Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, was fatally shot in the cafeteria alongside two other students who survived. Her father, German Corea, is devastated: “Every day I told her how much I loved her.” Escalante was a talented soccer player and excellent student. “It’s not fair,” he mourned.
Her aunt, Maria Corea, expressed disbelief: “She was a calm girl, well-behaved, and loved her family. She was sent to school for an education, not this.” The family is calling for increased school security, fearing history will repeat itself.
A vigil was held in Escalante’s honor that night.
The shooter, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, was a student at Antioch High. He shot himself after the attack and was pronounced dead. Investigators are analyzing his social media and writings but have found no known connection between him and the victims. “It may be that they were struck by his random gunfire,” police stated.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake expressed condolences: “Our officers and counselors will work to be part of the healing process in the days and weeks ahead.”
Dr. Adrienne Battle, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ director, closed the school for the week to allow time for grieving. “I want to thank the staff who quickly and heroically followed emergency protocols,” she said, vowing to find ways to prevent future tragedies.
She added, “It’s important to remember that our schools have historically been safe places for learning, friendship, and growth. We cannot allow this tragedy to overshadow the positive experiences of our 80,000 students.”
Support services have been made available to students and staff, as the community unites to navigate the days ahead.
