Dashcam video captures moments after fatal road rage shooting; Bridgeport murder suspect arrested
Jorge Luis Oritz, 57, was taken into custody by the patrol division while walking on the East Side Sunday night.
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Bridgeport police have made an arrest in the city's latest homicide, which they said Monday appears to have been a road rage incident.
The announcement came one week after officers responded to Cottage Street near the Park Avenue intersection and found 48-year-old Nelson Manuel Batista, of Bridgeport, shot in the chest. Batista was rushed to St. Vincent's Medical Center where he later died.
Jorge Luis Ortiz, 57, was taken into custody Sunday night after officers spotted him walking on the city's East Side. Police said Ortiz ran but was quickly caught. They'd already had an arrest warrant for him on charges of murder and criminal possession of a firearm thanks to help from the community, police said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
"The result of this case was because we got help from the community," Detective Jeffrey Holtz stated.
Holtz pointed to dashcam video that circulated online and appears to show the victim and suspect on the ground moments after the shooting.
"That was a large part of this investigation. We commend that citizen that came forward. We were not pleased that video went viral online, but the result is we do have an arrest today," Holtz said.
Chief Roderick Porter called it a random act, saying Ortiz and Batista didn't know each other.
"We could characterize it as some sort of road rage incident, so it was really important we got this individual off the streets as quickly as possible because he was a threat to the community," Porter stated.
Police did not elaborate on the details of how things escalated to violence, but Mayor Joseph Ganim said Ortiz was not provoked.
Ortiz was arraigned at Bridgeport Superior Court where the judge doubled his bond to $5 million, 30% of which must be in cash. The bond increase was due to Ortiz's criminal history, which includes a 1992 murder conviction, for which he served 30 years, according to court officials.
"It's just good to know that he is not out there anymore, and he cannot cause anybody else or any other family any more harm," said Batista's sister, Wisleidis Cruz, who was among the family members at the news conference.
Cruz described her brother as a bright light and thanked police and community members for helping give her family some closure. She said the timing of the arrest was important since her brother's viewing in Monday evening and his funeral and burial Tuesday morning.
"We can lay him at peace. Thank you for providing us with peace," Cruz said, getting emotional.
Ortiz is back in court Nov. 3.
PRIOR COVERAGE: EXCLUSIVE: 'He didn't deserve this.' Family demands justice for slain Bridgeport man as video appears to show fatal encounter
'Catch this killer.' 48-year-old man fatally shot in Bridgeport
