Police: Pictures Fired Throughout Little one Custody Trade In Central PA, 2 In Custody

Two people were in custody and one was hospitalized after gunfire broke out during an arranged custody exchange in Lancaster County.

Rashaun Taylor and Thalia Ortiz, both from Reading, were arrested shortly after police issued a “BOLO” alert “Be On The Lookout” on Sunday night, the Northern Lancaster County Police Department said.

Witnesses told police that Ortiz and Taylor arrived at a house on the 2000 block of Lawnwood Court in East Petersburg sometime around 8:20 p.m. to arrange a custody swap, police said.

An argument between Ortiz and the child’s father’s girlfriend became physical. At the time, Ortiz fired a 9mm pistol from the vehicle in the direction of the house, authorities said.

One of the rounds went through a window and met the victim identified as an innocent bystander visiting the house, police said. The victim was shot in the hip and taken to Lancaster General Hospital for immediate treatment and care, the NLCRPD said.

Ortiz and Taylor fled the scene in a green Subaru Legacy and were located a short time later, authorities said.

They were taken to police headquarters for questioning while the affected vehicle and weapon were recovered and secured as evidence, the NLCRPD said.

Ortiz was charged with crimes related to serious bodily harm, reckless endangering of another person, and shooting at an occupied building. Taylor was charged with crimes related to his involvement and aiding Ortiz in the crimes committed, police said.

The details of the incident are still being investigated by the NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Division.

The NLCRPD, the Manheim Township Police Department, the East Hempfield Police Department and the Serious Crimes Division of the Lancaster District Attorney were investigating.

Anyone with information that might assist the NLCRPD is encouraged to contact the NLCRPD at 717-733-0965 or through the NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Division NLCRPD Crimewatch website.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice’s free daily email and message notifications.

Comments are closed.