ICYMI: Pennsylvania Police Officer KILLED in Hospital Hostage Chaos—Community Mourns!
Fallen Pennsylvania police officer Andrew Duarte dies heroically in hospital shootout, saving lives. 🌐 #News #YorkPA #Pennsylvania #Crime
YORK, PA – A tragic scene unfolded Saturday at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, where a gunman stormed the intensive care unit, taking staff hostage with zip ties and a pistol. Amid the chaos, West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte lost his life in a fierce exchange of gunfire with the suspect, leaving the community reeling from the loss of a dedicated law enforcement veteran.
Incident Unraveled at UPMC Memorial
The armed intruder, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, entered the hospital targeting ICU workers. He bound a female staff member’s hands before police confronted him.
Officers opened fire, ending the threat, but not before Duarte was fatally wounded.
Three hospital workers—a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian—along with two other officers, were also shot and injured. Another employee suffered injuries from a fall during the ordeal.
Authorities noted Archangel-Ortiz had visited the hospital’s ICU earlier that week for a medical matter involving someone else, suggesting a planned attack. The shootout erupted as police moved to neutralize the danger, with Duarte among those who ran toward the threat to protect others.
Officer Andrew Duarte: A Life of Service
Andrew Duarte, a seasoned officer, joined the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 after serving five years with the Denver Police Department.
Known for his dedication, he earned a hero award in 2021 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in combating impaired driving in Colorado. Colleagues in Denver remembered him as a skilled patrol officer and a loyal friend.
His death marks a profound loss to both departments and the York community.
Honoring the Fallen and Wounded
The sacrifice of Officer Duarte and the bravery of the wounded officers and hospital staff resonate deeply. Their courage in the face of danger protected countless lives.
As the Bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This truth shines through their actions, offering comfort to a grieving community leaning on faith in this dark hour.
Investigation Continues
York County officials confirmed the officers’ use of deadly force was justified. The motive behind Archangel-Ortiz’s actions remains under scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, UPMC Memorial, a 104-bed facility in a city of 40,000, grapples with the aftermath of an event that echoes a troubling rise in violence plaguing U.S. healthcare settings.
RELATED TOPICS: Colorado | Crime | Pennsylvania
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