A gunman opened fire inside a Pennsylvania hospital on Saturday, February 22. The suspect, 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, held hospital staff hostage in the ICU and shot three of them.
The gunman, who was holding a staff member at gunpoint, exchanged shots with police before dying. Andrew Duarte, a police officer, was also killed during the shooting.
According to York County District Attorney Timothy Barker, as reported by WHP-TV, Ortiz entered UPMC Memorial Hospital with a bag containing zip ties and a handgun.
Ortiz then entered the ICU and shot three staff members. A doctor, a nurse, and a custodian were all hit by bullets but are in stable condition. According to PEOPLE, a fourth staff member fell and was injured.
NBC News reported that UPMC police officers arrived at the hospital around 11 a.m. They were joined by other law enforcement agencies, including Pennsylvania State Police and the Northern York County Regional Police Department. Ortiz held a member of the UPMC Hospital staff at gunpoint while they were in formation. This prompted police officers to confront the suspect and shoot him dead.
Unfortunately, Ortiz shot three police officers with his gun. Two of them are now in stable condition. However, Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department (WYBPD) was killed in the shooting. The District Attorney stated that after reviewing video footage of the violent shooting, he believes the use of lethal force was justified.
“Quite frankly, they needed to use deadly force, because by doing so they saved even more lives, even as they lost one of their own,” a deputy attorney general said.
Following the hostage situation, the WYBPD released a statement addressing the incident and expressing condolences for Officer Duarte’s death.
“Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to the West York Borough Police Officer,” the statement reads. “Andrew Duarte’s family, all of our brothers and sisters in the West York Borough Police Department who have lost a comrade and friend, as well as our fellow Borough agencies who have lost a colleague. “Our community mourns the loss of a hero.
The police department also prayed for the other law enforcement agencies who assisted during the hostage situation. They also mentioned the community members (hospital staff) who were injured.
UPMC Memorial Hospital also released a statement following the violent incident.
“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,” a press release states. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone exposed to this terrible event.”
