A West York Borough Police officer was killed and five other people were wounded in a hostage situation at a York County hospital early Saturday.
Police said Diogenes Archangel Ortiz showed up at UPMC Memorial with a semi-automatic handgun and zip ties at around 10:30 a.m. and took several hospital employees as hostages.
The suspect shot a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian. Three officers were also injured in the incident including West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte who was fatally shot.
“This is a huge loss to our community. Officer Duarte gave his life protecting others,” said York County District Attorney Tim Barker.
Ortiz was gunned down by officers after he emerged from the ICU holding a hostage at gunpoint with her hands zip-tied.
“The officers were left with no recourse. They opened fire, killing Ortiz and preventing further loss of life,” Barker said.
“After reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements, it is absolutely clear and beyond any doubt that the officers acted lawfully in using deadly force,”
“Quite frankly, they needed to – because by doing so, they potentially saved even more lives.”
