(CNN): A shocking incident that happened on Saturday at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. A gunman took medical staff hostage and opened fire, killing one police officer and injuring five others. Two of the injured were law enforcement, while three were medical professionals; all are reported to be in stable condition at this time. Andrew Duarte was a newly minted police officer who joined the force in 2022, after five years with the Denver Police.
The suspect, 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, had, alas, perished during the shootout with police. Reportedly, Ortiz had entered the hospital armed with a gun and zip ties, making his way directly into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There, he held many staff hostage with firearms. As the police prepared to enter the intensive care unit, Ortiz threatened them by holding one of the staff members hostage, forcing them to flee in order to protect the hostage.
During the standoff, Ortiz continued to hold the ICU employee at gunpoint, but when he emerged into the hallway, officers opened fire, fatally wounding him. The hostage was safely rescued, though she had been restrained with zip ties. York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed these details at an afternoon press conference, noting that while the motive for the attack has not been revealed, the ICU appeared to be the primary target of the gunman.
Barker said that the gunman may have contributed to the tragedy because he had just called the intensive care unit (ICU) last week for someone else's medical needs. The hospital was secured following the incident, which did not hurt any patients. Concerns over workplace violence in healthcare settings, where employees are frequently threatened and assaulted, have grown since the shooting event.
Officer Andrew Duarte had received recognition for his efforts to uphold the law against drunk driving before his untimely death. He received the 2021 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hero Award for his community-wide efforts to reduce drunk driving. Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, expressed his profound sadness over Duarte's passing and commended his dedication to helping and defending others. He praised the heroism and devotion of the officer to his community, terming the demise of Duarte as a tragic loss.
The Fraternal Order of Police also issued a statement canceling its official functions in mourning the passing of their brother, calling him a hero. Those who recognized the sacrifice and dedication of Duarte include state and national leadership in addition to the local police force. The public and the municipal government rallied around the family at the news ofthe death.
Many people, including those who were in the hospital at the time, did not anticipate such an event. While visiting a relative on the fourth floor, Jayden Robertson and his grandmother were informed of an armed intruder. At first, Robertson believed the gunshot could have been a small incident, but when a buddy phoned him about it, he immediately recognized how serious it was. He could see police officers getting ready for a confrontation when a number of police cars pulled up outside the window.
Betsy Small, another hospital witness, described the chaotic scene. While visiting her mother, she saw people running in terror as the sirens went off. She recalled seeing nurses and medical staff rushing about on high alert and hearing strange noises. Her daughter finally told her that the gunman had been captured by the police. Small apologized for the event and admitted that it had taken an emotional toll on the victims and medical staff.
There have been several mass shootings in the US, the UPMC Memorial event being only one of them. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this incident is part of a concerning trend, with at least 37 mass shootings documented in the first two months of this year. Healthcare professionals, who already deal with challenges due to heightened workplace hazards, are more vulnerable to violence. According to the American Hospital Association, healthcare workers are five times more likely than workers in other industries to experience workplace violence.
The violence at UPMC Memorial, therefore, raises the question as to whether a greater attitudinal emphasis should be placed on safety protocols at healthcare sites. Governor Shapiro and local officials have committed to helping the traumatized healthcare workers toward rehabilitation. Shapiro noted that no healthcare worker should ever experience the kind of assault that interferes with the treatment of other sick people, particularly in an environment that is intended to be safe and healing.
Senator Dawn Keefer of Pennsylvania and Representative Seth Grove jointly said their condolences to the victims and their families, calling the situation "unthinkable." They commended the rapid response of the first responders in securing, assuring the safety of the community, and caring for the injured. The two legislators also stressed the importance of stakeholders such as those who protect the health of other professionals facing increasing threats at work.
UPMC Memorial is a 104-bed nursing home that opened in 2019 and provides surgical, cardiology, and emergency services. The management at the site reassured that no patients had been harmed and that the facility had been secured. However, the impacts of the incident will be enduringly echoed throughout the nearby community and hospital staff.
Attacks happen in a place that is often considered a healing environment, and eyewitnesses and first responders are calling it horrific. The incident shocked hospital workers and horrified the general public, raising awareness about the alarming trend of violence in public places that should be safe havens.
Medical staff directly involved in the immediate response have undergone severe emotional trauma. Amidst the unfortunate killings, these individuals are to be offered counseling services to help them cope with the traumas they experienced during the awful tragedy, as Shapiro announced. Despite the potential hazards, he added, their dedication to their work should be valued and safeguarded.
