Hailey Tran
On November 19, 2018, a shooting incident occurred at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, leaving an attending physician, a police officer, and a pharmacy resident dead. The gunman was identified as Juan Lopez, the ex-fiancé of one of the victims, who died in a shootout with responding officers. This incident is one of many hospital shootings in the US, with others including the UPMC Memorial Hospital shooting in Pennsylvania, where the gunman, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, was fatally wounded, and a police officer, West York officer Andrew Duarte, was killed by friendly fire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Juan Lopez |
| Age | 32 |
| Gender | Male |
| Relationship status | Former fiancé |
| Victims | Tamara O'Neal, Samuel Jimenez, Dayna Less |
| Location | Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois |
| Date | November 19, 2018 |
| Time | Between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. |
| Weapons | Gun |
| Valid identification | FOID (Firearm Owners Identification) card and a concealed carry gun permit |
| Previous threats | Threatened to shoot up the Chicago Fire Academy |
| History of violence | Alleged threats and harassment by ex-wife |
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What You'll Learn
- Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz was the UPMC Memorial Hospital shooter
- Juan Lopez was the Mercy Hospital and Medical Center gunman
- Lopez's ex-fiancé was one of the victims
- A police officer was killed by friendly fire at UPMC Memorial Hospital
- The ICU at UPMC Memorial Hospital was renamed after the slain officer
Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz was the UPMC Memorial Hospital shooter
Upon entering the hospital, Archangel-Ortiz took multiple people hostage, including hospital staff and a police officer, Andrew Duarte. He opened fire, killing Officer Duarte and injuring several others. Archangel-Ortiz was killed by police gunfire after exiting the main door of the ICU while holding a hospital worker hostage at gunpoint.
The motive for the shooting was attributed to anger and grief over the death of Archangel-Ortiz's wife, who had been receiving treatment in the ICU. York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated that Archangel-Ortiz's actions, including arriving at the hospital armed and carrying zip ties, clearly demonstrated his intent to target the ICU.
The shooting resulted in a tragic loss of life and injuries, with Officer Duarte being commended for his bravery and service. The incident also prompted an investigation and enhanced security measures at UPMC facilities, including the implementation of metal detectors.
The community honored the memory of Officer Duarte and the bravery of hospital staff and law enforcement. A memorial with flowers and mementos was set up, and Governor Josh Shapiro ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across Pennsylvania. The hospital was praised for its swift response and ensuring the safety of patients and staff during the tragic incident.
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Juan Lopez was the Mercy Hospital and Medical Center gunman
On November 19, 2018, Juan Lopez opened fire at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The 32-year-old gunman was the former fiancé of one of the victims, Tamara O'Neal, an emergency room doctor at the hospital. The incident began in the parking lot of the hospital, where Lopez shot and killed O'Neal. An eyewitness claimed that O'Neal had run over to a group of people for help and was attempting to call 9-1-1, telling them that Lopez would kill her. The witness also claimed that Lopez demanded a ring from O'Neal and shot her six times when she did not have it.
Lopez then continued into the hospital and shot others. Police arrived and exchanged fire with the gunman, who retreated into the hospital and was pursued by officers. Two other victims were identified as 28-year-old police officer Samuel Jimenez and 24-year-old pharmacy resident Dayna Less. Lopez died following the shootout with police, shot in the head and abdomen.
Lopez had a history of threatening behaviour with firearms. In 2014, his ex-wife filed a petition for an order of protection against him, alleging threats and harassment, as well as unsafe and threatening conduct with a gun. He had also previously threatened to shoot up the Chicago Fire Academy after being terminated as a trainee there for improper conduct. Lopez had a valid FOID (Firearm Owners Identification) card and a concealed carry gun permit, and in the five years before the shooting, he had purchased four weapons.
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Lopez's ex-fiancé was one of the victims
On November 19, 2018, a shooting incident occurred at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The gunman, later identified as Juan Lopez, was the ex-fiancé of one of the victims, Tamara O'Neal, an attending physician at the hospital. The incident occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and began in the hospital's parking lot before moving inside.
According to eyewitnesses, O'Neal ran over to a group of people, attempting to call 9-1-1, and told them that Lopez would kill her. The witness also claimed that Lopez demanded a ring from O'Neal and, when she did not have it, he shot her six times. After killing O'Neal, Lopez continued into the hospital and shot others.
Police arrived on the scene and exchanged fire with Lopez, who retreated into the hospital. During the shooting, Lopez fired about 40 shots, killing a police officer, 28-year-old Samuel Jimenez, and a pharmacy resident, 24-year-old Dayna Less. Less died from multiple bullet wounds.
Lopez had a history of threatening behaviour and had previously threatened to shoot up the Chicago Fire Academy after being terminated for improper conduct. In addition, his former wife had filed a petition for an order of protection against him, citing threats, harassment, and unsafe conduct with a gun. Lopez ultimately died from a police bullet to the abdomen during the shootout with responding officers.
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A police officer was killed by friendly fire at UPMC Memorial Hospital
A tragic incident unfolded at UPMC Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania, where a gunman, identified as 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, entered the hospital's intensive care unit and took several staff members hostage. The situation escalated when Archangel-Ortiz attempted to shoot an employee in the head but was unable to as he ran out of ammunition.
The perpetrator had a history of mental illness and had previous contact with the hospital's ICU. On the night before the shooting, he was removed from the hospital by security following the death of his wife in hospice care. Grief and anger are believed to have been the motives for his actions.
As the situation intensified, Archangel-Ortiz emerged into the hallway with a female ICU employee as his hostage. Her hands were restrained with zip ties, and both the gunman and responding police officers engaged in a shootout. Archangel-Ortiz was fatally wounded, and sadly, one of the officers, Andrew Duarte, was killed by friendly fire.
Officer Andrew Duarte was a veteran law enforcement officer who had dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. He joined the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 after working for five years as a patrol officer with the Denver Police Department in Colorado. The community, including hundreds of police officers and Governor Josh Shapiro, came together to honor Duarte's bravery and sacrifice, with flags flown at half-mast across Pennsylvania.
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The ICU at UPMC Memorial Hospital was renamed after the slain officer
On February 22, 2025, a tragic shooting took place at UPMC Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of a police officer, West York officer Andrew Duarte, and the gunman, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz. Officer Duarte, a law enforcement veteran, was accidentally shot by another officer during the exchange of gunfire with the gunman. The incident left the community grieving and highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States.
Duarte's bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty were recognized and honored in several ways. Governor Josh Shapiro ordered national and state flags to be flown at half-mast across Pennsylvania as a mark of respect. A funeral service for Duarte was held on February 28, with hundreds of police officers and Governor Shapiro in attendance, showing solidarity and support for his family and the law enforcement community.
In April 2025, UPMC hospital announced enhanced security measures, including the implementation of metal detectors, to ensure the safety of their facilities and staff. However, the most poignant tribute came a few months later. On June 13, 2025, UPMC Memorial Hospital renamed their intensive care unit (ICU) after Officer Duarte and placed a plaque outside that commemorates his courage and sacrifice. This renaming ceremony was a powerful way to honor the memory of a dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting others.
The ICU at UPMC Memorial Hospital became a symbol of the community's resilience and a reminder of the selfless service of law enforcement officers like Andrew Duarte. The renaming served as a lasting tribute, ensuring that Officer Duarte's bravery and dedication to protecting others would be forever intertwined with the hospital's commitment to healing and caring for those in need. This tragic incident underscored the importance of addressing gun violence and strengthening security measures in hospitals and public spaces across the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The gunman was identified as Juan Lopez, the ex-fiancé of one of the victims, Tamara O'Neal.
The shooting appears to have stemmed from a confrontation in the parking lot between Lopez and O'Neal. Lopez had previously threatened to shoot up another institution and had a history of aggressive behaviour.
The incident occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on November 19, 2018. Lopez shot O'Neal in the parking lot and then continued into the hospital, shooting others. He exchanged fire with the police and ultimately died from a police bullet to the abdomen.
This response refers specifically to the shooting at Mercy Hospital. If you are referring to another incident, please clarify.
