YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)-- York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed Wednesday that West York Borough Officer Andrew Duarte died after being struck by a shot from another officer on Saturday, February 22, 2025, after a gunman opened fire and took staff hostage inside the UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County.
According to Barker, police fired a shotgun at the suspect Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, and pellets from the blast struck Duarte and a second officer.
Duarte was struck two times; once in the arm and across his chest, and another that struck his left chest where his vest was not covering.
Archangel-Ortiz was fatally struck 15-20 times and killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Two other officers from the Northern York and Springettsbury Township Police departments, and three staff members were shot and injured in the exchange.
Preliminary information shared at the time of the shooting showed that the shooter, Archangel-Ortiz, was armed with a semiautomatic handgun when he entered the hospital with a bag containing a handgun and zip ties at 10:35 a.m., zip tying a staff member and holding them at gunpoint as officers responded.
On Wednesday, Barker says Duarte's death was "caused" by Archangel-Ortiz's actions at UPMC Memorial. Barker also noted the heroism of the officers who responded to the ICU that day, saying their actions were justified and "legally appropriate."
“I looked at every moment of video and I saw on every person’s face that willingness to walk into, to run into the path of gunfire and potential death. They were willing to lay down their lives for every single person at that hospital,” Barker said.
No hostages were struck by the responding officer's fire, however, several were injured by Archangel-Ortiz or while fleeing the scene.
Barker said that Archangel-Ortiz, 49, had previously been in the ICU with a woman who received treatment and later died there, and the shooting was targeted.
A funeral for Officer Duarte was held the following Friday, bringing officers from across the region. West York Borough Police Chief Matthew Millsaps shared that Duarte helped bring an officer to safety during his final moments.
Officer Duarte had celebrated his 30th birthday just days before the incident.
Following the shooting, a safety complaint was filed against UPMC Memorial Hospital. OSHA said they have six months to complete their investigation.
