Crime
Mother of Fallen Pennsylvania Officer Mourns Son: ‘He Had a Warrior Heart’
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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.