Police officer killed, 6 injured in Pennsylvania hospital shooting after shooter takes hostages

A police officer was murdered Saturday after reacting to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital, just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where a shooter held several hostages and injured at least six others before being shot dead.

Andrew Duarte, a West York Borough police officer, died at the site.  Authorities identified the shooter as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz.  No reason for the shooting has been revealed.

The attacker also wounded two additional law enforcement officers, who are in stable condition, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said during an afternoon press conference.

An critical care unit doctor, nurse, and custodian were shot, while a fourth employee was hurt in a fall, according to Barker.

At an afternoon news conference, York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated that Archangel-Ortiz entered the hospital carrying a suitcase containing a revolver and zip ties before proceeding to the Intensive Care Unit.

Archangel-Ortiz went to hostage members of the UPMC staff.  "He ended up discharging his firearm and striking three members of the UPMC staff," Barker added.  "One was a doctor who was grazed, the other was a nurse and a custodian who are in stable condition at this time."

According to Barker, officers were about to approach the gunman and enter the ICU when Ortiz held an ICU staffer hostage at gunpoint and told police to leave.

“They did, so the person being held hostage would not be harmed, and were attempting to try to engage in discussion with Mr. Archangel Ortiz,” Barker said.  The woman being held hostage also had her hands tied with zip ties, according to Barker.

When Ortiz emerged from the corridor, still holding the ICU staff at gunpoint, the cops opened fire and fatally shot him, Barker confirmed.

According to Barker, the assault appeared to be intentionally targeted at the ICU.  According to Barker, the gunman had contact with the ICU the week before for a medical reason involving another person.

UPMC verified that no patients suffered physical damage.

Duarte was a law enforcement veteran who joined the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 after five years with the Denver Police Department, according to his LinkedIn page.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Dawn Keefer and state Rep. Seth Grove said in a joint statement they are praying for “those who were injured and for the loved ones’ coping with an unthinkable act.”

“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” Keefer and Grove said, thanking first responders “for their swift actions in securing the scene, treating the wounded and ensuring the safety of our community.”