York, PA – The growing unease in Nancy Duarte Matarese on Saturday turned into full dread as she was escorted to a small family room inside WellSpan York Hospital.
The room was just miles away from UPMC Memorial Hospital, where her son, Officer Andrew Duarte, had been involved in a violent hostage situation and shooting earlier that day.
“I thought to myself, ‘This isn’t good, because if he was still with us, they would take me to him,’” Duarte Matarese recalled. “I had the feeling that Andrew had been called to his eternal home with the Lord, and that he wasn’t here with us anymore.”
Her worst fears were soon confirmed—Officer Duarte had been killed in the line of duty.
The West York Borough Police Officer was among those injured during the hostage standoff and shooting at the hospital.
The incident left multiple people wounded and deeply shook the local community.
The following day, Duarte Matarese visited a makeshift memorial outside the West York Borough Police Department, where community members left flowers, candles, and balloons in honor of her only child.
In an emotional interview, she described him as an exceptional young man devoted to his duty.
“He had a warrior heart and a warrior spirit,” she said.
Authorities identified the alleged gunman as Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, 49, who entered UPMC Memorial Hospital armed with a handgun and zip ties concealed inside a bag.
According to York County District Attorney Tim Baker, Ortiz’s actions appeared intentional, as he went directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“Ortiz did appear to have contact previously in the week with the ICU for a medical purpose involving another individual,” Baker stated.
The tragic loss of Officer Duarte has left York residents shaken. For some, the reality of the violent incident hit especially close to home.
Tad Pequignot, a local resident, described the terrifying moment he received a message from his wife, who was working inside the ICU during the attack.
“[I] got a text from my wife who works in the ICU. And she said that she loved me and that she didn’t know if she was going to make it out,” Pequignot said.
Others, like Mary Eck, a lifelong York resident, expressed shock and sadness over the violation of what should have been a safe place.
“A hospital? You would think you’d be safe, but it’s just not anymore,” Eck said while visiting the memorial.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the motive behind the attack.
The loss of Officer Andrew Duarte has left a profound impact on his family, fellow officers, and the community he served.