A gunman shot a police officer to death and wounded five other people before being killed by cops in a targeted attack at a Pennsylvania hospital’s intensive care unit on Saturday.
Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, armed with a pistol and zip ties, took staff members of the UPMC Memorial Hospital hostage on Saturday morning — before being quickly engaged by local cops at 10:43 a.m. at the York, Penn., hospital.
Officer Andrew Duarte, of the West York Borough Police Department, was killed while confronting Archangel-Ortiz, who had zip tied a female staffer’s hands behind her back.
A doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two other officers were also shot and wounded during the brazen attack, according to York County District Attorney Tim Barker. Archangel-Ortiz was then fatally shot by cops.
The gunman had contact with the hospital’s ICU earlier in the week for “a medical purpose involving another individual,” and he intentionally targeted the workers there, according to Baker.
Police officer Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department died while responding to the shooting. AP
No patients were injured during the shooting, and the five-story, 104-bed hospital has been secured, according to a statement by Pennsylvania State Police.
Citizens left flowers in front of West York Police Department to honor the killed police officer.
Hospital visitors have been told to park in the lot across from the hospital to avoid interfering with the investigation.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro mourned the fallen officer and praised first responders for their heroism.
“This morning in York County, we saw the best and worst of humanity. In the midst of senseless violence, law enforcement, first responders, and medical professionals showed true heroism,” Shapiro wrote on X.
“Tragically, we lost one of those heroes today. Officer Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough PD was the best of us — he lived a life of service to others that has been cut far too short.”
No patients were injured during the shooting at the five-story, 104-bed UPMC Hospital in York, Pa. AP
Law enforcement is currently investigating the scene. AP“Our community grieves the loss of a hero,” reads a Facebook post by the department.
The hospital asked employees who were off on Saturday to stay home, and told visitors to park in a lot across the hospital, according to Susan Manko, vice president of public relations for UPMC.
State and local authorities, as well as the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were assisting in the investigation, according to authorities.
