A man from Connecticut, who had previously been sentenced to 30 years in prison for felony murder back in 1992, has been arrested again. This time, it’s in connection with a tragic road rage shooting that resulted in the death of a grandfather in Bridgeport, as reported by local police.
Jorge “George” Ortiz, aged 57, was apprehended after a short foot chase on Monday, wrapping up a week-long search. He has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to a police announcement.
Ortiz stands accused of shooting 48-year-old Nelson Batista, a grandfather who recently experienced the painful loss of his 25-year-old son, an Air Force airman, during a road rage incident at around 9 a.m. on October 12, as detailed in a police affidavit.
Interestingly, Ortiz and Batista didn’t know each other, according to Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter. He described the act as random while addressing the media just hours before Batista’s funeral.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Ortiz following a woman down Park Avenue, at which point Batista turned his SUV down a side street. Ortiz then allegedly slapped the sides of the vehicle, prompting Batista to stop and exit the car.
The affidavit indicates that Ortiz struck Batista first, leading to a struggle that ended up on the ground. Eventually, they were seen fighting for control of a handgun.
Gunshots were captured by the city’s ShotSpotter technology, with the medical examiner later confirming that one of the shots hit Batista in the chest. Unfortunately, he passed away at the hospital.
Community tips played a significant role in Ortiz’s capture. A woman recorded parts of the incident on her cellphone, and other witnesses provided descriptions that helped identify him.
Footage from a vehicle showed segments of the scuffle, during which Ortiz was seen getting up and striking Batista with the butt of his pistol before fleeing the scene as Batista remained unconscious in the street.
A detective recognized Ortiz from past encounters, including a previous arrest in March for misdemeanor drug charges, which are still outstanding.
Additional tips from individuals claiming they could identify Ortiz also aided law enforcement’s efforts.
Records indicate that Ortiz was serving a 30-year sentence for felony murder prior to this incident and that he was off parole at the time of Batista’s death.
Batista’s son was laid to rest on October 3 in Louisiana. Batista himself was remembered as a devoted family man, a father of six and grandfather of three, and he had a passion for Major League Baseball and the NFL, particularly the New York Yankees.
