A shocking incident rocked York County, Pennsylvania, as a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital unfolded on February 23, 2025. The ordeal ended with the tragic death of Officer Andrew Duarte and injuries to five others. In a situation fraught with tension, suspect Diogenes Archangel Ortiz entered the healthcare facility armed with a handgun and holding zip ties, an indication of his intention to take hostages.
Reports detail that the event began around 10:30 a.m., with Ortiz, visibly distressed, initiating an attack on responding officers from the West York Police Department. The confrontation at the hospital took a grim turn when Ortiz, overwhelmed by personal loss, reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Underlying Motive
Preliminary findings from law enforcement suggest that the episode was rooted in domestic distress. Ortiz had been grappling with the emotional turmoil from his wife’s terminal illness. The night before the tragic morning, he had been removed from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to his apparent frustration and despair over her prognosis. His actions following that removal, while extreme, shine a spotlight on the psychological strain that families can undergo in the face of terminal illness.
Interestingly, amidst the chaos, hospital officials confirmed that no patients were injured during the event. The casualties, however, included two law enforcement officers and a nurse, all of whom sustained gunshot wounds.
The Victims
Among the injured, the loss of Officer Andrew Duarte was particularly felt. Duarte's life came to a sudden and tragic stop when he was fatally shot in the torso. The young officer had roots in the Bay Area, with a background hailing from Oakland. He had graduated from Berean Christian High School located in Walnut Creek, and his passing leaves a deep void in the community.
The Pennsylvania State Police, in collaboration with the York County District Attorney’s Office, are at the helm of the ongoing investigation. While the immediate facts point to a personal motive stemming from domestic distress, officials highlight the necessity for a comprehensive inquiry to piece together Ortiz’s decision to resort to violence.
This tragic incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital not only brings to the forefront the challenges faced by healthcare workers and law enforcement in volatile situations, but it also emphasizes the acute need for mental health support for those dealing with personal crises and losses. The incident underscores the importance of addressing the emotional well-being of individuals bearing immense emotional and psychological burdens.