Gunman enters Pennsylvania hospital ICU, kills officer before police fatally shoot him

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Image: UPMC Memorial Hospital.
Shortly after 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 UTC) on Saturday, a gunman entered the intensive care unit (ICU) at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, taking hospital staff hostage at gunpoint. Officers arrived at the scene and confronted the gunman as he attempted to leave with a hostage, opening fire. Before being shot dead, he fatally wounded backup officer Andrew Duarte, 30, of the West York Borough Police Department, and injured six others, including police officers, a nurse, a doctor, and a custodian. A hospital staff member was also hurt while attempting to flee.
Authorities reported the gunman was armed with a pistol and zip ties. According to Lester Mendoza, a physician assistant at UPMC Memorial Hospital, the gunman had visited the ICU the previous week when a family member was dying.
UPMC Memorial Hospital released a statement thanking law enforcement, saying, “This is a fluid situation. Law enforcement is on premises and is managing the situation. We are grateful to all the local law enforcement agencies for their quick response.”
Sister links
Sources
- Mead Gruver, AP. “Pennsylvania hostage-taking and shootout highlight rising violence against US hospital workers” — Pioneer Press, February 24, 2025
- Robin Hattersley. “6 Injured, 2 Dead in Pennsylvania Hospital Shooting” — Campus Safety, February 24, 2025
- Mark Scolforo. “Officer killed by a shooter who took hostages at a central Pennsylvania hospital, officials say” — Associated Press, February 22, 2025
- Caitlyn Scott. “Gov. Shapiro issues statement hours after active shooter situation at Pennsylvania hospital” — WTAE-TV, Feb 22, 2025