A funeral service is scheduled to take place later this week for West York Patrolman Andrew Duarte, who tragically lost his life while responding to a shooting incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. The service, set for Friday at a church in Red Lion, will be livestreamed but not open to the general public.
An autopsy conducted on Monday revealed that Duarte, aged 30, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the torso sustained during the incident on Saturday. The service will be restricted to family members, friends, law enforcement personnel, dignitaries, and special guests, with a police funeral procession preceding the ceremony.
The tragic event unfolded when a gunman, identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, entered the hospital's intensive care unit, resulting in the shooting of three hospital employees and the taking of staff members hostage. Responding officers ultimately shot and killed Archangel-Ortiz, who had brought a gun and zip ties to the scene. Five others, including officers from two local police agencies, a doctor, a nurse, and a hospital staff member, were wounded during the incident.
Authorities have indicated that Archangel-Ortiz resided in close proximity to the police department where Duarte served. The motive behind the attack remains undisclosed, with officials refraining from public statements on the matter.
Duarte, who joined the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 following a tenure with the Denver Police Department, was recognized for his efforts in impaired driving enforcement, receiving a 'hero award' from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2021. His family has requested memorial donations to organizations combatting drunk driving.
Described as a hero by his family and community, Duarte held a degree in criminal justice and police science from California University of Pennsylvania. His interests included photography, guitar, hiking, and traveling. Survivors include his parents and girlfriend.
Following the incident, wounded officers from the Northern York County Regional Police and Springettsbury Township Police are on the path to recovery, with one already discharged from hospital care and the other expected to fully recuperate. The shooting underscores a concerning trend of violence in healthcare settings, with hospitals facing escalating security challenges in recent years.
