Tragic Gunman, Grieving Loved One’s ICU Death, Opens Fire at Hospital, Killing Officer and Wounding Five Workers: ‘He Was Simply Broken’

"Heartbroken Gunman Opens Fire in Hospital, Killing Officer and Wounding Five"

Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, grieving a loved one's death, killed a police officer and injured five others during a hospital attack in Pennsylvania.

Emily Johnson25 February 2025Last Update : 7 hours ago

Gunman who killed cop and shot 5 workers at hospital had just learned a loved one died in ICU: ‘He was simply broken’

nypost.com

On February 24, 2025, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, opened fire at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, after taking hospital employees hostage. The incident resulted in the death of West York Borough Police Department officer Andrew Duarte and injuries to five others during a shootout with police.

6 Key Takeaways

Gunman learned of loved one's death.
Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz killed a police officer.
Hostage situation occurred at UPMC Memorial Hospital.
Physician assistant shared personal connection with suspect.
Grief and isolation linked to violent actions.
No patients injured during the incident.

Fast Answer: Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz attacked UPMC Memorial Hospital on February 24, killing an officer and injuring five others. He had just learned of a loved one’s death in the ICU before the incident unfolded.

The tragic event began when Archangel-Ortiz stormed into the intensive care unit armed with a pistol and zip ties. He took a female staff member hostage while police responded to the scene. Officer Andrew Duarte was killed during the ensuing gunfire, which also left several others injured, including a doctor and a nurse. Fortunately, no patients were harmed during this violent episode.

According to Lestor Mendoza, a physician assistant at the hospital who interacted with Archangel-Ortiz prior to the attack, he was devastated by News of his loved one’s passing. Mendoza described him as “broken,” emphasizing that he did not perceive him as a monster but rather as someone overwhelmed by grief. Prosecutors confirmed that Archangel-Ortiz had been at the ICU for medical reasons related to another individual but withheld details regarding their relationship due to privacy concerns.

Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz was 49 years old.
He killed one police officer and injured five others.
No patients were reported injured during the incident.

This incident raises critical questions about mental health support systems in times of crisis. Mendoza pointed out that grief and isolation can lead individuals down dangerous paths if adequate support is not available. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy as investigations proceed into both the shooting and its underlying causes.

Notice: Canadian readers are encouraged to seek mental health resources if experiencing distress or loss. Support services are available across Canada for those in need of assistance.

The events surrounding this tragic shooting highlight significant issues related to mental health awareness and support systems within communities facing crises.