Staff, patients, and visitors to UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, PA are recovering from an active shooter event Saturday morning that shook the hospital and the community.

According to UPMC President and CEO Leslie C. Davis, "Our UPMC Memorial family experienced a tragic act of violence that has had a ripple effect across our UPMC community."

What happened in south eastern Pennsylvania has visitors to UPMC Hamot in Erie wondering if the hospital system will consider any changes in security measures. 

We talked to Elizabeth Terrell as she left the hospital after visiting a patient.  "...the people that come and visit patients shouldn't be afraid to come in and see their families," she said.

Already all entrances to UPMC Hamot are clearly marked with a "No Guns, Knives, or Weapons Allowed" police.

At the ER entrance, which is open 24-hours a day, visitors are screened through a metal detector.

At UPMC Memorial in York Saturday morning, authorities say a man now identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz entered the hospital carrying a pistol and zip ties inside a bag.  The suspect then took employees in the ICU hostage at gunpoint.  Hospital security officers, backed up by a cadre of state and local police responded to the scene. 

They confronted the suspect and in an exchange of gunfire killed him.  The incident though also claimed the life of West York police officer Andrew Duarte.

Three hospital employees and two other police officers wounded in the shoot out are now "medically stable and progressing in their recovery," according to CEO Davis.

Visitors to UPMC Hamot on Monday were aware of the tragedy in York.  It had them thinking about hospital security and whether UPMC would be re-evaluating its procedures. "Well I think in light of what happened that's a real possibility," Frank Amicucci said. "Anywhere you go today, all the school shootings, shootings at malls you never know what's going to happen."

Amicucci and his wife Sydney were visiting a friend at the hospital.  She shared security suggestions.  "Having where they walk through one of those detectors automatically would be a big help," she said. "Also increasing their security, because you don't know and we live in more violent times you know it's a fact of life."

Elizabeth Terrell suggested checking the ID of those who enter the hospital, something done at other area hospitals. "As long as they're checking people in when them come in, it'd probably be better just to check them out when they're going through and then if they're ok just let 'em go through," Terrell said

In a letter to all hospital employees, UPMC President and CEO Leslie C. Davis said, "Across all UPMC hospitals our armed police officers are devoted to keeping us safe.  We remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety and well being of all at our facilities."

Read the full letter below:

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, our UPMC Memorial family experienced a tragic act of violence that has had a ripple effect across our UPMC community. We are relieved that our UPMC Memorial staff members who were injured are medically stable and progressing in their recovery. While the journey to heal for those impacted, both physically and emotionally, is only beginning, we are hopeful and committed in our support for them and their loved ones.

I want to convey my immense gratitude for our courageous staff who swiftly acted to ensure the safety of co-workers, patients, and visitors. We owe a debt to each of you and the law enforcement officers who bravely responded to bring the situation to a close. We mourn the loss of Andrew Duarte, the brave West York police officer who protected the lives of our staff and his fellow officers in an ultimate act of heroism.

Our teams from across UPMC have rallied without hesitation to provide support to the UPMC Memorial community. On-site counseling and Spiritual Care services are available for UPMC Memorial colleagues and resources are available for all UPMC employees. 

While external law enforcement agencies have left UPMC Memorial, our UPMC Police and Security remain on-site with enhanced presence. Across all UPMC hospitals, our armed police officers are devoted to keeping us safe. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety and well-being of all at our facilities.

We are profoundly grateful for the bravery shown by our staff, first responders, EMS partners, and all who acted with courage and support for one another. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers remain with our UPMC Memorial team, the fallen officer and his family and colleagues, and all of York County.

In the coming days and weeks, I have no doubt that we will continue to take great care of each other and our community.

Leslie C. Davis
President and CEO