Convicted murderer charged with road rage killing in Connecticut

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 10:50 · Archive

Jorge Ortiz, 57, who was previously convicted of felony murder, has been arrested and charged with killing Nelson Batista, 48, in a road rage incident in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Jorge Ortiz, 57, a man previously sentenced to 30 years in prison for a 1992 felony murder conviction, has been arrested in connection with a road rage shooting in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Nelson Batista, 48, was killed in the incident on 12 October at 9 a.m., just hours before his own funeral. Batista was a grandfather who had recently buried his 25-year-old son, an Air Force airman.

According to police affidavits, surveillance video showed Ortiz following a woman down Park Avenue before turning onto a side street where Batista's SUV was. Ortiz allegedly slapped his hands on the side of the car, prompting Batista to stop and exit the vehicle. Ortiz allegedly punched Batista first. The two then fell to the ground and struggled for control of a handgun, with at least two gunshots captured by the city's ShotSpotter programme. The medical examiner determined that one shot struck Batista in the chest. The New York Post reports that video showed Ortiz striking Batista in the head with the butt of a pistol before fleeing as the victim lay motionless.

Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter described the incident as 'a random act', as Ortiz and Batista were strangers. Ortiz was arrested on Monday following a week-long manhunt and brief foot chase. He has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a pistol and carrying a pistol without a permit. Police credited tips from the community and witnesses, including a woman who recorded part of the incident on cellphone video, for his capture.

How it is being reported

• Grandfather gunned down in road rage attack days after burying Air Force son; convicted murderer chargedVideo taken from inside a vehicle captured some of the scuffle, including the attacker getting up, striking Batista in the head with the butt of a pistol and taking off as the victim lies motionless in the street.New York Post · 22 Oct, 10:31
• Grandfather gunned down in road rage attack days after burying Air Force son; convicted murderer chargedSurveillance video captures the deadly road rage confrontation that left grandfather Nelson Batista dead on a Bridgeport street after a scuffle.Fox News · 21 Oct, 18:18

In this story: Jorge Ortiz · Nelson Batista · Bridgeport · Connecticut · Bridgeport Police Department

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem