Chaos erupted when the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, stormed the ICU, taking staff members hostage before engaging in a deadly shootout with police.
The attack resulted in the death of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, a six-year law enforcement veteran. Ortiz was also killed in the confrontation, while multiple individuals sustained injuries. Authorities revealed that Ortiz entered the hospital carrying a bag with a handgun and zip ties before heading directly to the ICU.
UPMC confirmed the presence of an armed suspect via Facebook, detailing that Ortiz held staff hostage and threatened to kill one of them, preventing officers from breaching the unit. When he eventually stepped into the hallway with a hospital worker at gunpoint, officers opened fire, fatally striking him. Two law enforcement officers suffered gunshot wounds and are in stable condition, along with a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian who were also shot. Another hospital employee sustained injuries in the chaos.
Officials believe Ortiz specifically targeted the ICU, as he had been in contact with the department the previous week regarding a medical matter involving another individual.
Officer Duarte, 29, had dedicated six years to law enforcement, first serving with the Denver Police Department before joining the West York Borough Police Department. His work in DUI and drug recognition enforcement earned him the MADD Hero Award in 2021.
The West York Borough Police Department honored Duarte’s sacrifice, inviting the community to lay flowers on the department’s steps in his memory. “Our community grieves the loss of a hero,” the department shared on Facebook, urging solidarity and respect during this difficult time.
Governor Josh Shapiro also paid tribute to Duarte, calling him “the best of us” and recognizing his service. “This morning in York County, we saw the best and worst of humanity. Tragically, we lost one of those heroes today,” Shapiro wrote on X. The Fraternal Order of Police echoed this sentiment, stating, “Pennsylvania lost another hero today. Officer Duarte’s bravery and commitment to the law exemplify the selflessness of those who protect and serve.”
Patients and visitors at UPMC Memorial Hospital recounted terrifying moments as the situation unfolded. Jayden Robertson and his grandmother were visiting a relative when an intercom announcement warned of an armed intruder. Initially dismissing it as a minor security issue, they soon realized the severity of the situation as police arrived, armed with shields and weapons. “That’s when we knew this was serious,” Robertson recalled.
Betsy Small, visiting her mother, described hearing strange noises and seeing people running. An announcement declared a lockdown, sending panic through the floor. “You never think it’s going to be a shooting, not in a hospital,” she said. Small took cover near a window as medical staff rushed through the halls in distress. More than an hour later, her daughter texted her at 11:41 a.m. to inform her that the shooter had been “taken out.”
UPMC expressed gratitude to law enforcement and staff for their bravery. “We are grateful to the officers and our staff who ensured their own safety and that of our patients and visitors. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible event,” the hospital shared on Facebook.
State Senator Dawn Keefer and State Representative Seth Grove issued a joint statement mourning the tragedy. “We are deeply saddened by the events at UPMC this morning. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this senseless violence.”
Despite the tragedy, authorities confirmed that no patients were harmed and assured that the hospital is now secure. This devastating event follows the fatal school shooting at Antioch High School on January 22, 2025.
In the aftermath of the school shooting, The Metro Nashville Police Department identified the 16-year-old victim as Josselin Corea Escalante. She was shot in the school cafeteria alongside two other students, one of whom sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.
Escalante’s father, German Corea, expressed his heartbreak, recalling how much he cherished his daughter. “Every day, I told her how much I loved her,” he said. Escalante, a dedicated student and soccer player, was described as loving and kind. “It’s not fair,” her father mourned.
Her aunt, Maria Corea, echoed his grief, lamenting that Escalante had been sent to school for a better future, only to lose her life tragically. “She was a calm, well-behaved girl who loved her family,” she shared.
Escalante’s family has called for increased school security, though they remain skeptical about meaningful change. Antioch High School hosted a vigil in her honor on the night of January 22.
The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, was an active student at the school. He shot himself in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. School resource officers responded swiftly but arrived moments after Henderson took his own life.
Authorities are now investigating Henderson’s online activity and social media posts to determine a possible motive. Thus far, they have found no known connection between Henderson and his victims, with police suggesting the shooting may have been random.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake expressed condolences to the Antioch High community, assuring that officers and counselors would support students and staff in the coming weeks. “We extend our deep sympathies to all those affected. Our officers will continue to assist in the healing process,” he stated.
Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, also offered condolences, announcing the school’s closure for the remainder of the week to allow time for grieving. She praised school staff for their swift emergency response and acknowledged law enforcement’s urgent action.
Battle emphasized the importance of preventing future tragedies. “We must understand how and why this happened to ensure it never occurs again. Our schools have historically been places of learning and growth. We cannot let this overshadow the positive experiences of our 80,000 students.”
She reassured students and staff that support services, including grief counseling, would be available. “We must come together as a community to navigate this difficult time,” Battle urged.
Both incidents highlight the ongoing concerns over safety in public spaces, leaving families and communities grappling with loss while seeking answers and solutions to prevent further tragedies.