Suspect accused of killing woman and her 1-year-old grandson in Allentown arrested

Ada Ortiz, 44, and 1-year-old Sebastian Serrano died after being shot along the 100 block of Chestnut Street.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police in Allentown, Pennsylvania have arrested the suspect accused of killing a woman and her 1-year-old grandson inside a home on December 29, 2023.

Gabriel Cartagena, 43, turned himself into police on Thursday night. He is facing a slew of charges, including two counts of criminal homicide.
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SEE ALSO: Lehigh County Coroner's Office identifies woman, toddler killed in Allentown triple shooting

According to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, Cartagena shot and killed 44-year-old Ada Ortiz and her 1-year-old grandson, Sebastian Serrano Jr., around 8:40 p.m. inside a home on Chestnut Street.

Police found the victims in the living room.

Gabriel Cartagena



A third victim, Leandro Ortiz, was found in the kitchen suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper left side chest.



Leandro Ortiz, who is Ada's husband, told police the shooter was armed with a gun and took aim at a fourth victim only identified as R.S., a 7-year-old child. Leandro says he was shot when he stepped in between the suspect and the child.
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The condition of Leandro Ortiz was not immediately known. The 7-year-old child was not injured.

Further details on what sparked the shooting remain under investigation.
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