Police Officer Killed in UPMC Memorial Hospital Shooting, Highlights Rising Violence Against Healthcare Workers

Image credits: (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, has brought attention to the rising violence against healthcare workers in the US. On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, entered the hospital's intensive care unit, where he had been earlier in the week, and took staff members hostage. He was carrying a pistol and zip ties, and during the incident, he shot and wounded a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two police officers. One police officer, 30-year-old Andrew Duarte, was killed in the line of duty. The attack has been described as a targeted incident, with Archangel-Ortiz apparently intentionally targeting the hospital after being in contact with the intensive care unit earlier in the week.

The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, who are increasingly facing violence and harassment on the job. According to hospital security consultant Dick Sem, many people are becoming more confrontational and quicker to become angry, leading to a rise in violent incidents at hospitals. Sem noted that in hospital attacks, the shooter is often targeting somebody, sometimes resentful about the care given to a relative who died. The violence against healthcare workers is a growing concern, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that healthcare and social assistance employees suffered almost three-quarters of nonfatal attacks on workers in the private sector in 2021 and 2022.

The shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital is part of a wave of gun violence that has swept through US hospitals and medical centers in recent years. Other recent attacks on US healthcare workers include a shooting at an Idaho hospital, where a man shot two corrections officers, and a shooting at a Portland, Oregon, hospital, where a gunman killed a security guard and wounded a hospital worker. The gun violence has led to an increase in security measures at hospitals, including the use of metal detectors and screening visitors for threats at hospital entrances. Many hospital workers say that after an attack, they never expected to be targeted, highlighting the need for increased awareness and training to identify potential threats.

The investigation into the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital is ongoing, but officials have said that the officers who responded to the incident were justified in shooting and killing Archangel-Ortiz. The incident has been described as a huge loss to the community, with Governor Josh Shapiro praising the bravery of hospital staff and law enforcement and singling out Duarte's courage, service, and sacrifice to keep the community safe. The community has come together to mourn the loss of Officer Duarte, with a candlelight vigil held at the borough building and residents placing flowers and lit candles at the borough's administrative offices.

In the aftermath of the shooting, there have been calls for increased action to address the rising violence against healthcare workers. This includes providing more training and resources to help medical staff identify potential threats and respond to violent incidents. The incident has also highlighted the need for increased support for healthcare workers, who are often put in difficult and dangerous situations. As the investigation into the shooting continues, it is clear that the incident will have a lasting impact on the community and will serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of healthcare workers.