HARRISBURG (Pennsylvania, US), Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Pennsylvania police officer died while responding to a shooting on Saturday morning at a hospital in York County, Pa., in which the gunman also died, the authorities said.
The officer, who was from the West Borough Police Department, had responded to a call to the hospital, UPMC Memorial, West York Borough said on Facebook.
“Our hearts break at the innocent loss of life,” the statement said, adding that the West Borough Police Department had “lost a comrade and friend.”
It was not clear how the officer died. County officials and the Pennsylvania State Police said they could not confirm the officer’s death. The gunman, who was not publicly identified, was also dead, according to the authorities and a hospital official.
While no patients were injured, at least five people were evaluated at another hospital in connection with the shooting, an official there said on Saturday. Details on their conditions were not made available.
The gunman opened fire at UPMC Memorial hospital, which is in West Manchester Township, Pa., at about 11 a.m., Susan Manko, a vice president of public relations for the hospital, said in a statement.
UPMC, the hospital system that includes UPMC Memorial, said in a statement that the gunman was dead. The Pennsylvania State Police also said on social media that the gunman was dead and there was “no danger to the public.”
“The hospital is now secure,” Manko said. “This is a fluid situation. Law enforcement is on premises and is managing the situation.”
Five people were being evaluated in the emergency department at WellSpan York Hospital in York, Pa., less than five miles from UPMC Memorial, according to a spokeswoman for WellSpan, who said the hospital did not expect to receive any additional patients.
The first patient arrived at approximately noon, she said, adding that the hospital was unable to share specific details about the patients’ conditions.
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said on social media on Saturday afternoon that he had been “briefed on the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital”. — NNN-AGENCIES
