CHESTER – Police shot a man they believe chased and shot a woman during a domestic dispute overnight in Chester.
What we know:
Officers from the City of Chester Police Department were called to 9th and Walnut streets Wednesday night for reports of a shooting.
Investigators say responding officers found a woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds lying on the ground.
Police soon encountered the alleged shooter, identified as Jose Ortiz, who they say fired shots at civilians before pointing his weapon at responding officers.
The threat caused officers to open fire on the suspect, striking him at least one time.
Both the suspect and woman were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Their conditions are not known at this time.
Investigators have described the incident as a domestic dispute.
Dig deeper:
Cell phone video from Wednesday night shows Ortiz on the ground at 9th and Walnut streets with Chester police officers pointing their weapons and shouting commands to move away from the gun numerous times throughout the five-minute video.
“This is a man who was opening fire on anyone who was walking by these police officers responded, and shots fired put themselves in harms way. This man was hell-bent on killing anybody he could and he’s charged right now with three counts of attempted murder,” said Tanner Rouse, Delaware County district attorney.
Officers can be heard in the video telling Ortiz, “go away from the gun,” “get your hands away from that gun now,” and “do not reach for that gun.”
Towards the end of the video, an officer kicks the gun away from Ortiz before he is Tased two times and taken into custody.
The Delaware County district attorney says Ortiz shot his girlfriend in the back two times and then started firing at strangers driving by.
Rouse says Ortiz was not licensed to carry and fired his weapon at least seven times.
Steve Sharpe, who lives on Walnut Street, said, “a lot of gunfire.” Sharpe also said, “if you’re shot or not you fire at a police officer you’re going to get with your hand calls for.”
Ciona Bidin, a neighbor of Ortiz’s girlfriend, said, “you know, couples argue I never thought it would go that far at all,” and added, “I just hope she’s doing OK she was a really nice lady.”
Rouse says the Chester police officers put their lives on the line by entering the active shooting scene.
Rouse said, “what they did was not only lawful it was heroic. It’s exactly what we ask for law-enforcement partners to do so there will not be any charges in this case towards them. This is a thank you.”
Police say the situation began after Ortiz got into an argument with his girlfriend who lives on 9th Street. Her neighbor expressed hope for her recovery.
What we don’t know:
Police have not identified the suspect or the victim involved in the shooting.
What they’re saying:
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse called the officers’ actions “nothing short of lifesaving.”
“The defendant in this case had every intention to kill anyone he could,” Rouse said.
An investigation into the officer-involved shooting is underway.
