Chaos erupts at a hospital—6 injured, 2 lives lost, including a police officer. Here’s what we know so far.
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In the wake of a harrowing hospital shooting in southern Pennsylvania, our hearts are heavy with the news of six wounded individuals and the tragic loss of two lives, including a dedicated police officer.
The incident, which unfolded at UPMC Memorial in York, has left our community grappling with shock and sorrow.
As we honor those affected, it's also crucial to discuss safety measures and the importance of being prepared for such unforeseen emergencies.
On a quiet Saturday morning, the peace of UPMC Memorial was shattered when a lone suspect entered the hospital's intensive care unit armed with a handgun and zip ties.
The setting of the shooting, the UPMC Memorial, has 104 beds and all private patient rooms which opened in 2019.
The assailant took hospital workers hostage and opened fire, injuring a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and three police officers—one of whom, Officer Andrew Duarte, paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, was also killed during the confrontation with law enforcement. The motive behind this senseless act remains under investigation.
York County District Attorney Tim Marker remarked that the suspect held hospital workers hostage, opened fire, and shot people including a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and three police officers. A member of the hospital staff was also injured.
At around 10:35 am, officials say that the suspect walked into the hospital and seized the staff of the ICU hostage, firing many shots and binding the hands of a nurse with zip ties.
These bullets hit a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian. Another member of the staff was also injured in a fall as they tried to escape the gunfire, as per Barker.
The police were later called and they confronted the suspect by trying to defuse the situation.
Also read: Shocking social media posts revealed: What the Nashville school shooter did just before the tragedy
At some point, the suspect left the ICU and transferred to the hallway with a gun and the staff member.
The officers opened fire, killing the armed suspect. Unfortunately, three officers were also hit by gunfire, with one losing his life–Officer Andrew Duarte.
The other two officers are reported to be in a stable condition as of last Sunday. Barker said that the investigation would identify whether Duarte was shot by Archangel-Ortiz or it was “friendly fire” from the other officers.
Officer Duarte, who was just 30 years old, had served the West York Borough Police Department since June 2022 and was a former officer with the Denver Police Department.
His commitment to protecting and serving the community was unwavering, and his loss is felt deeply by all who knew him.
Governor Josh Shapiro commended Duarte for his life of service, a sentiment echoed by the grieving local police department and community members.
Source: West York Borough / Facebook.
“Officer Duarte was one of the best of us,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. “He is to be commended for a life of service, albeit one cut too short.”
The court records report that Archangel-Ortiz did not have any significant criminal records. In the past, he had been charged with driving on a suspended license earlier in February, and with harassment and contempt for a court order in October 2016.
The motive behind this attack is still under investigation. However, officials said that the gunman had visited his friend in the hospital days prior to the shooting and “had contact” with the hospital staff.
This tragic event underscores the importance of personal safety and awareness in public spaces, including hospitals. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
1. Be aware of your surroundings: Always take note of the nearest exits and potential hiding places when entering public buildings.
2. Report suspicious activity: If you see something out of the ordinary, don't hesitate to alert security or call 911.
Source: NBC News / Youtube.
3. Participate in safety drills: If your area offers active shooter training or emergency drills, participate actively and encourage others to do the same.
4. Stay calm: In the event of an emergency, try to remain calm and follow the instructions of authorities.
5. Know basic first aid: Learning basic first aid and CPR can be invaluable in helping others during a crisis.
In closing, let's honor the memory of Officer Andrew Duarte and all those affected by this tragedy by committing to personal and community safety.
Also read: Luigi Mangione named key suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder
Have you ever been involved in an emergency situation? Do you have any additional safety tips to share? How do you think communities can better prepare for and prevent these types of incidents? We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions in the comments below.
The incident, which unfolded at UPMC Memorial in York, has left our community grappling with shock and sorrow.
As we honor those affected, it's also crucial to discuss safety measures and the importance of being prepared for such unforeseen emergencies.
On a quiet Saturday morning, the peace of UPMC Memorial was shattered when a lone suspect entered the hospital's intensive care unit armed with a handgun and zip ties.
The setting of the shooting, the UPMC Memorial, has 104 beds and all private patient rooms which opened in 2019.
The assailant took hospital workers hostage and opened fire, injuring a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and three police officers—one of whom, Officer Andrew Duarte, paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, was also killed during the confrontation with law enforcement. The motive behind this senseless act remains under investigation.
Six people were injured and two were killed, including a police officer, in a hospital shooting in Pennsylvania. Image source: NBC News / Youtube.
York County District Attorney Tim Marker remarked that the suspect held hospital workers hostage, opened fire, and shot people including a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and three police officers. A member of the hospital staff was also injured.
At around 10:35 am, officials say that the suspect walked into the hospital and seized the staff of the ICU hostage, firing many shots and binding the hands of a nurse with zip ties.
These bullets hit a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian. Another member of the staff was also injured in a fall as they tried to escape the gunfire, as per Barker.
The police were later called and they confronted the suspect by trying to defuse the situation.
Also read: Shocking social media posts revealed: What the Nashville school shooter did just before the tragedy
At some point, the suspect left the ICU and transferred to the hallway with a gun and the staff member.
The officers opened fire, killing the armed suspect. Unfortunately, three officers were also hit by gunfire, with one losing his life–Officer Andrew Duarte.
The other two officers are reported to be in a stable condition as of last Sunday. Barker said that the investigation would identify whether Duarte was shot by Archangel-Ortiz or it was “friendly fire” from the other officers.
Officer Duarte, who was just 30 years old, had served the West York Borough Police Department since June 2022 and was a former officer with the Denver Police Department.
The slain police officer was identified as Andrew Duarte, who had been serving with the West York Borough Police Department. Image source: FOX31 Denver / Youtube.
His commitment to protecting and serving the community was unwavering, and his loss is felt deeply by all who knew him.
Governor Josh Shapiro commended Duarte for his life of service, a sentiment echoed by the grieving local police department and community members.
Source: West York Borough / Facebook.
“Officer Duarte was one of the best of us,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. “He is to be commended for a life of service, albeit one cut too short.”
The court records report that Archangel-Ortiz did not have any significant criminal records. In the past, he had been charged with driving on a suspended license earlier in February, and with harassment and contempt for a court order in October 2016.
The motive behind this attack is still under investigation. However, officials said that the gunman had visited his friend in the hospital days prior to the shooting and “had contact” with the hospital staff.
This tragic event underscores the importance of personal safety and awareness in public spaces, including hospitals. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
1. Be aware of your surroundings: Always take note of the nearest exits and potential hiding places when entering public buildings.
2. Report suspicious activity: If you see something out of the ordinary, don't hesitate to alert security or call 911.
Source: NBC News / Youtube.
3. Participate in safety drills: If your area offers active shooter training or emergency drills, participate actively and encourage others to do the same.
4. Stay calm: In the event of an emergency, try to remain calm and follow the instructions of authorities.
5. Know basic first aid: Learning basic first aid and CPR can be invaluable in helping others during a crisis.
In closing, let's honor the memory of Officer Andrew Duarte and all those affected by this tragedy by committing to personal and community safety.
Also read: Luigi Mangione named key suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder
Have you ever been involved in an emergency situation? Do you have any additional safety tips to share? How do you think communities can better prepare for and prevent these types of incidents? We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions in the comments below.
