The shooting incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital unfolded tragically on February 24, 2025, when 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz walked through the hospital carrying zip ties and a pistol. Archangel-Ortiz, who had recent contact with the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), took several staff members hostage before being killed in a subsequent shootout with police. This horrifying event not only resulted in the death of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte but also left multiple others injured, reigniting discussions about the alarming rise of violence against healthcare workers.
According to reports, Archangel-Ortiz entered the UPMC Memorial Hospital where he appeared to have targeted staff members intentionally. York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed during a news conference, "The shooter appeared to have had recent contact with the ICU for a medical purpose involving another person," though he refrained from disclosing specifics due to privacy concerns. Following the attack, five individuals—including doctors, nurses, and custodial staff—were reported injured but stable, and the hospital remained closed to visitors as they worked to recover from the shocking incident.
First responders faced chaos when the gunman opened fire on hospital security officers who were initially on the scene. According to Barker, “The gunman fired at them, prompting calls for backup.” The aggressive attempt by Archangel-Ortiz to hold hostages escalated the situation, as he ordered police to stand down at gunpoint, securing one female staff member with zip ties. Eventually, and without options, officers were forced to open fire on Archangel-Ortiz, resulting not only in his death but also tragically culminating with Officer Duarte's fatal injury.
Duarte, 30, was identified as the fallen officer, honored for his dedication to law enforcement. He joined the West York Borough Police Department just two years earlier, bringing with him experience from the Denver Police Department. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed condolences, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Duarte's sacrifice. With two other officers also injured—reportedly from Northern York County Regional and Springettsbury Township Police Departments—communities mourned not just for the officers but for the staff who faced violence within one of the country's most insidious crises: healthcare-associated violence.
This shooting incident is emblematic of rising violence against healthcare professionals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights healthcare as among the nation’s most hazardous professions, with hospital employees experiencing far more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence compared to workers across other sectors. Dick Sem, a security consultant specializing in healthcare, pointed out, “Many people are more confrontational, quicker to become angry, quicker to become threatening,” emphasizing the environment healthcare workers find themselves operating within daily.
Sem elaborated on this problem, noting how motivations behind these acts can often be deeply personal and targeted. He explained, “It tends to be someone who’s mad at somebody. It might be a domestic violence situation or employees, ex-employees. There are all kinds of variables.” This insight leads to the notion of potential adversities stemming from familial and inter-personal relationships, rather than random acts of violence, which adds another layer to the challenges authorities and medical staff face daily.
Additional evidence of the rising threat against healthcare workers only strengthens the urgency for enhanced safety protocols. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently indicated healthcare and social assistance employees accounted for nearly three-quarters of nonfatal attacks on workers within the private sector. Quoting Sem again, he stated, “More than half of these incidents I’m aware of showed some early warning signs ... If nobody reports it, then you don't know until the gun appears.” This sentiment pressures the need for systems to identify and respond to potential threats effectively.
Recent history has demonstrated the growth of violence across various medical settings—not limited to emergency rooms but spilling over to maternity wards and ICUs. Just last year, we saw instances where armed individuals attacked medical facilities, leading to dire consequences, including fatalities among staff. The rise of such attacks has compelled numerous hospitals to reconsider their security measures; many are investing substantially to implement metal detectors and screening across all entrance points.
For healthcare professionals like nurse Megan Foltz, who has been vigilant about potential threats for 20 years, the feeling of dread is all-consuming. She notes, “If you step away from a bedside to run, to hide, to keep safe, you’re leaving your patient vulnerable.” Such dilemmas are common and demonstrate the ultimate psychological toll these events take on healthcare workers, who must constantly balance their safety with their duties to treat and care for patients.
The attack at UPMC Memorial Hospital highlights not only the specific incident but the broader, unsettling trend of violence against those who dedicate their lives to saving others. The collective response from officials, the community, and security experts shows there is more than just sorrow; there needs to be action to prevent future crises from occurring, ensuring healthcare professionals can perform their sacred work without the looming fear for their lives.