A tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, claimed the life of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte and left five others injured after a gunman took medical staff hostage and opened fire. The incident unfolded when 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz entered the ICU armed with a handgun and zip ties, taking staff members hostage and threatening to kill one of them, which prevented officers from breaching the unit.

When Ortiz later emerged into the hallway holding a hospital worker at gunpoint, police responded swiftly and opened fire, fatally shooting him and ending the crisis. Among those injured in the exchange were two police officers, a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and another hospital employee. Fortunately, all of the wounded are expected to recover.

Officer Duarte, 29, was a highly respected member of the law enforcement community. Before joining the West York Borough Police Department, he served with the Denver Police Department and earned the MADD Hero Award in 2021 for his dedication to DUI and drug enforcement. His sacrifice has been deeply mourned by his department, which has urged the community to honor his memory by leaving flowers at the station.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro paid tribute to Officer Duarte, calling him “the best of us” and commending his bravery in saving lives during the crisis. The Fraternal Order of Police also expressed their sorrow, emphasizing the devastating impact of this loss on the law enforcement community. Local officials and residents have stood in solidarity with the families affected by the shooting.

For additional updates on this developing story, trusted sources such as the NBC News and the CNN continue to provide comprehensive coverage of the incident and its aftermath.