A gunman fired opened fire inside a Pennsylvania hospital on Saturday, February 22. The suspect, identified as 49-year-.old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, held hospital staff members hostage at the ICU, shooting three of them. While holding a staff member at gunpoint, the gunman exchanged shots with police, dying as a result. A police officer, Andrew Duarte, was also killed in the shooting.
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According to York County District Attorney Timothy Barker, reported by WHP-TV, the Ortiz entered the UPMC Memorial Hospital while carrying a bag filled with zip ties and a handgun. Ortiz then entered the ICU and shot three staff members. A doctor, a nurse, and a custodian were grazed by bullets, but are in stable condition. As per PEOPLE, a fourth staff member reportedly fell and suffered an injury.
According to NBC News, UPMC police officers arrived at the hospital at around 11 a.m. They were joined by other law enforcement agencies such as Pennsylvania State Police and the Northern York County Regional Police Department. While organized in a formation, Ortiz held a UPMC Hospital staff member at gunpoint. This prompted police officers to engage the suspect, shooting him dead.
Unfortunately, Ortiz himself also fired his gun at the police officers, striking three. Two of them are currently in stable condition. However, Andrew Duarte from the West York Borough Police Department (WYBPD), was killed in the shooting. The District Attorney stated that, after reviewing footage of the violent shooting, he believes that the use of deadly 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," DA Barker said.
Statement Reactions
Following the hostage situation, the WYBPD issued a statement, addressing the incident and expressing their condolences over Officer Duarte's death.
"Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to West York Borough Police Officer," the statement reads. "Andrew Duarte's family and all of our brothers and sisters in the West York Borough Police Department that have lost a comrade and friend, and furthermore our fellow Borough agencies that have lost a colleague. Our community grieves the loss of a hero."
The police department also offered their prayers to the other law enforcement agencies who assisted during the hostage incident. They also mentioned the members of the community (the hospital staff members) who were injured.
UPMC Memorial Hospital also issued 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," the statement reads. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone exposed to this terrible event."
