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A tragic incident unfolded at a York, Pennsylvania hospital on Saturday morning, resulting in the death of a police officer and injuries to five others. Authorities reported that a suspect took medical personnel hostage and opened fire within the medical facility.

The assailant has been identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, who was reported to have also been killed during the incident.

According to York County District Attorney Tim Barker, two other officers were shot but are currently in stable condition, as confirmed at a press briefing later in the day.

A doctor from the intensive care unit, a nurse, and a custodian sustained gunshot wounds, while a fourth hospital employee suffered injuries from a fall, Barker stated.

Authorities revealed that the gunman entered the hospital with a bag containing a handgun and zip ties, heading directly to the ICU where he took staff members hostage.

As officers prepared to confront the shooter and breach the ICU, Ortiz allegedly held an ICU staff member at gunpoint, commanding the police to back off, according to Barker.

“They complied to ensure the safety of the hostage and attempted to negotiate with Mr. Archangel Ortiz,” Barker explained. It was reported that the individual held hostage had her hands bound with zip ties.

When Ortiz exited the ICU still holding the staff member hostage, police opened fire, resulting in Ortiz’s death, according to Barker.

Although investigators have not yet disclosed a motive, it seems that the attack specifically targeted the ICU. Authorities noted that, in the week prior, the gunman had been in contact with the ICU for matters related to another individual.

“Fortunately, no patients were harmed during the incident, and the hospital has since been secured,” stated Susan Manko, UPMC Memorial spokesperson, in an interview with CNN.

The deceased officer has been identified as Andrew Duarte, confirmed by his department via a Facebook post. Duarte had joined the force in 2022 after serving five years with the Denver Police Department. His LinkedIn profile indicates that he was awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Driving hero award in 2021 for his dedication to impaired driving enforcement.

“He embodied service and was dedicated to ensuring the safety of his community,” commented Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who met with Duarte’s parents on Saturday evening. “His life of service was tragically cut short, and we are profoundly grateful for his sacrifice.”

The Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Joseph Regan and York County Lodge #73 President Trent Bushman expressed in a statement that Pennsylvania has lost “a hero”.

“Officer Duarte’s courage and dedication to the law reflect the selflessness exhibited daily by those committed to serving and protecting,” the statement emphasized.

Jayden Robertson, who was visiting his aunt in the hospital with his grandmother, described the moments leading up to the announcement regarding an armed intruder in the building.

Initially dismissing the announcement, Robertson thought it might have involved a child mistakenly bringing a pocket knife. However, after receiving a message about a shooting at the hospital, he grasped the seriousness of the unfolding events.

Looking out the window, he witnessed the rapid response of police officers, who were racing to their vehicles to retrieve weapons and protective gear.

Betsy Small, also on site visiting her mother, recalls hearing unusual noises and seeing people in panic around 10:30 a.m. just before alarms sounded.

As she looked out, she saw chaos unfold, accompanied by an announcement about a hospital lockdown.

“One never anticipates that such a dire situation might occur, especially in a hospital,” Small said, reflecting on the fear of the moment.

As alarms echoed through the halls, Small took shelter on the floor near her window, her mother blissfully unaware in her hospital bed.

Within moments, a swarm of police vehicles arrived, officers equipped with shields and firearms stormed the building, as observed through her hospital room window.

For the next hour, Small witnessed frantic nurses rush through her floor, shouting and tending to the crisis.

By 11:41 a.m., Small received a text from her daughter informing her that the shooter had been neutralized.

As of 3 p.m., Small remained inside the building, witnessing nurses comforting one another in the hallways amid the aftermath.

“It’s genuinely heartbreaking for everyone involved. This situation is simply tragic,” Small expressed her sorrow after witnessing the turmoil.

This incident occurs amidst a troubling trend of mass shootings across the nation, with at least 37 incidents reported in the initial two months of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more individuals are shot, excluding the shooter.

At least 31 law enforcement officers were shot in January alone, with two fatalities, as reported by the National Fraternal Order of Police.

For healthcare professionals, this violent event highlights an ongoing issue of increasing threats within their workplaces. Statistics reveal that healthcare workers are five times more likely to encounter workplace violence compared to employees in other sectors, according to the American Hospital Association.

Governor Shapiro assured during the news conference that both state and local leaders are committed to supporting healthcare workers affected by this tragedy and will provide necessary resources for recovery.

“I understand that the trauma experience by healthcare workers during this ordeal will not vanish quickly,” Shapiro acknowledged.

“Each day, as you don your white coat or uniform to serve your community, you do so out of compassion for your neighbors and a desire for their well-being. Events like this should never transpire in your workplace.”

In a joint statement, Pennsylvania State Senator Dawn Keefer and State Representative Seth Grove expressed their thoughts and prayers for the injured and the loved ones facing the aftermath of this unimaginable act.

“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all impacted by this senseless violence,” Keefer and Grove remarked, while thanking first responders for their prompt actions in managing the situation and safeguarding the community.

UPMC Memorial, which opened in August 2019, is a 104-bed facility providing emergency medical care, cardiology, vascular services, chronic disease management, and surgical interventions. York is located in southern Pennsylvania.

Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Kia Fatahi, Sharif Paget, Sarah Dewberry, and Natalie Barr.

This article has been updated with further details.