On the morning of February 22, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, resulting in the deaths of Officer Andrew Duarte and the assailant, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz. This event has left the community in mourning and raised concerns about safety in healthcare settings.
At approximately 10:35 a.m., Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, entered the intensive care unit (ICU) of UPMC Memorial Hospital armed with a pistol and carrying zip ties. He proceeded to take several staff members hostage, including a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian.
During the confrontation, Archangel-Ortiz shot and wounded these three staff members, as well as two responding police officers. A fourth hospital employee sustained injuries from a fall during the chaos. Tragically, Officer Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department was fatally shot during the exchange. The assailant was subsequently shot and killed by law enforcement officers on the scene.
Authorities have identified the gunman as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz. Preliminary investigations suggest that Archangel-Ortiz had prior interactions with the hospital’s ICU earlier in the week for a medical matter involving another individual. It appears he intentionally targeted the ICU staff during the attack.
The incident has profoundly impacted the York community. Governor Josh Shapiro met with Officer Duarte’s parents and the wounded officers, expressing gratitude for their bravery and acknowledging the profound loss. He described the attack as “the act of a coward” and commended the law enforcement officers who responded to the crisis.
A makeshift memorial has been established at the West York Borough Police Department, where community members have been paying their respects. Linda Shields, a resident whose son serves as a police officer in Maryland, placed roses at the memorial, expressing her sorrow and noting, “He was so young. It makes no sense at all.”
UPMC Memorial Hospital, a five-story, 104-bed facility that opened in 2019, has been secured following the incident. Hospital officials have confirmed that no patients were harmed during the attack. The hospital is cooperating fully with local and state authorities as the investigation continues.
