Police have released a mugshot of Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, a 49-year-old man whose actions on February 22, 2025, turned a quiet Saturday morning into a scene of tragedy at UPMC Memorial Hospital in West Manchester Township, Pennsylvania. The image, stark and unflinching, captures the face of the individual responsible for the death of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, a dedicated officer who lost his life while responding to the crisis. The release of the mugshot marks a somber milestone in a case that has shaken the York County community, leaving residents grappling with grief, anger, and unanswered questions about what drove this violent outburst.
The incident began around 10:35 a.m. when Archangel-Ortiz entered the hospital carrying a bag containing a semi-automatic handgun and zip ties. He made his way directly to the intensive care unit (ICU), where he took several staff members hostage, initiating a standoff that would end in bloodshed. Within the ICU, he opened fire, striking a doctor, a nurse, and a custodian—each of whom survived their injuries and are now in stable condition. A fourth staff member sustained injuries from a fall while attempting to escape the chaos. The precision of his movements and the items he carried suggest a deliberate intent, though the full scope of his motives remains under investigation.
As the situation escalated, law enforcement from multiple agencies, including UPMC police, West York Borough Police, and others, converged on the scene. Officers attempted to negotiate with Archangel-Ortiz, who at one point emerged from the ICU holding a staff member at gunpoint, her hands bound with zip ties. Faced with an imminent threat to her life and potentially others, police opened fire, killing Archangel-Ortiz. In the exchange, three officers were struck by gunfire. Two—one from Springettsbury Township and another from Northern York County Regional Police—sustained injuries but are expected to recover. Tragically, Officer Andrew Duarte, a 30-year-old law enforcement veteran who had served with the West York Borough Police Department since 2022 after five years with the Denver Police Department, did not survive.
He was pronounced dead at WellSpan York Hospital at 12:19 p.m., leaving behind a community in mourning and a department devastated by the loss of one of its own.
Officer Duarte’s death has struck a deep chord in West York, a tight-knit borough of about 4,500 people just outside York City. Known for his courage and commitment, Duarte had earned a hero award in 2021 during his tenure in Denver, a testament to his character and service. His sacrifice has drawn praise from officials, including York County District Attorney Tim Barker, who described the officers’ actions as “absolutely justified” in preventing further loss of life. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, speaking at a press conference alongside Barker, called Duarte’s death “a huge loss to our community” while lauding the bravery of both law enforcement and hospital staff.
Details about Archangel-Ortiz’s background and motivations are slowly emerging. Authorities have confirmed he visited the ICU earlier in the week for a medical purpose involving another individual, believed to be a loved one who had recently died. A physician assistant at the hospital later shared that he had spoken with Archangel-Ortiz multiple times, delivering the devastating news of the loved one’s passing and witnessing his profound grief. This personal tragedy appears to have fueled his actions, with some suggesting he blamed the hospital staff for what he perceived as inadequate care. Court records also reveal a history of minor legal troubles, including a recent charge of driving with a suspended license and earlier brushes with the law for harassment, though nothing in his past hinted at the scale of violence he would unleash.
The aftermath of the shooting has left UPMC Memorial Hospital, a 104-bed facility that opened in 2019, grappling with its own recovery. No patients were harmed, a small mercy amid the chaos, and the hospital has since been secured. Yet the emotional toll on staff, patients, and the broader community is immeasurable. Stories from those present paint a vivid picture: visitors hearing alarms and seeing police swarm the building, families separated from loved ones as the lockdown unfolded. For many, the sense of safety that hospitals typically provide has been shattered.
Law enforcement continues to investigate, piecing together surveillance footage and witness accounts to fully understand the sequence of events. Barker has emphasized that the officers’ use of deadly force was necessary, a conclusion supported by the evidence reviewed so far. Meanwhile, the focus shifts to healing—both for the wounded and for a community honoring a fallen hero. As West York lays flowers at the police department in tribute to Officer Duarte, the release of Archangel-Ortiz’s mugshot serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the profound cost of its disruption.