A deadly confrontation unfolded on February 22, 2025, when Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, a man armed with a handgun and zip ties, entered the intensive care unit (ICU) of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, taking hospital staff hostage. The incident resulted in the deaths of a police officer and the gunman.
Forty-nine-year-old Archangel-Ortiz was holding a female staff member at gunpoint, her hands bound with zip ties when police intervened. During the ensuing shootout, Officer Andrew Duarte of West York Borough Police Department was fatally shot. A doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two police officers were wounded in the attack, while another staff member sustained injuries from a fall.
According to York County District Attorney Tim Barker, Archangel-Ortiz had visited the ICU earlier in the week for “a medical purpose involving another individual” and seemed to have intentionally targeted the staff. It is reported that Archangel-Ortiz was aggrieved by what he saw as inadequate care for a relative who had recently passed away in the same ICU.
In a post-shooting press conference, Barker declared the incident a “huge loss to our community,” asserting that the officers were entirely justified in using deadly force.
Police reports indicate that Archangel-Ortiz entered the hospital in the morning armed with a semi-automatic handgun and zip ties. As officers arrived, Archangel-Ortiz emerged from the ICU holding a hospital staff member hostage, provoking the officers to open fire.
The fallen officer, Duarte, had served in law enforcement for several years, joining the West York Borough Police Department in June 2022 after a five-year stint with the Denver Police Department. Prior to that, he had worked with the Ocean City Police Department. Duarte, who had recently turned 30, had a distinguished career, earning several accolades, including a “hero award” from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2021 for his work in impaired driving enforcement in Colorado.
On his LinkedIn profile, Duarte had described himself as having a “type A personality” and a passion for succeeding in everything he undertook.
On Saturday evening, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro met with Duarte’s parents and the wounded officers, acknowledging the bravery of the law enforcement officers and expressing gratitude for their service. In honor of Duarte, the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, and a procession was held for the fallen officer.
Duarte’s mother, Nancy Duarte Matarese, referred to her son as a “mighty warrior” and expressed her gratitude for the community’s support during the difficult time. Condolences also poured in from the Denver Police Department, Duarte’s alma mater, PennWest California, and the local West York community, which organized memorial events to honor Duarte’s memory.
UPMC Memorial Hospital, a five-story, 104-bed facility that started operating in 2019 in York, a city of about 40,000 residents, advised non-scheduled employees to stay home and directed visitors to use a parking lot across from the hospital, according to Susan Manko, UPMC’s vice president of public relations.
The ongoing investigation into the shooting involves cooperation from state and local law enforcement, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as disclosed by authorities.
A hospital staffer, Lester Mendoza, revealed that he had interacted with Archangel-Ortiz in the days leading up to the incident and had informed him about the death of a relative, an event that apparently deeply upset him.
While no patients were harmed during the shooting, the incident has sparked concerns about public safety, leading to questions about whether hospitals can be considered safe spaces. The shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital is indicative of an escalating trend of violence in healthcare settings across the United States, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over the past few years, there have been several violent incidents at healthcare facilities, including fatal shootings at a state psychiatric hospital in New Hampshire in 2023, a Dallas hospital in 2022, and a medical center waiting room in Atlanta in 2022. In response, hospitals across the country are implementing increased security measures like metal detectors and visitor screening. However, experts stress the need for early identification of potential threats to prevent such violent occurrences.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the UPMC Memorial Hospital shooting, reviewing surveillance footage, and taking statements to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
