Man shot girlfriend, fired at bystanders, and pointed gun at cops in Chester: Police

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police say a 42-year-old man shot his girlfriend, fired at bystanders and aimed a gun at officers during a shooting Wednesday night that ended with police shooting him and using a Taser to take him into custody.

Sources say video that includes the sound of officers using a Taser is part of the police investigation into the incident involving 42-year-old Jose Ortiz.

Authorities say Ortiz shot his girlfriend in the back, fired at innocent bystanders and pointed a gun at responding police officers.

"This was a man who was opening fire on anyone that was walking by," Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. "These police officers responded to shots fired, put themselves in harm's way."

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. near 9th and Walnut. Witnesses told police they heard the couple fighting before shots rang out.

Investigators say that when officers arrived, Ortiz was standing over his girlfriend.

"This man was hell-bent on killing anybody he could that he met," Rouse said.

Sources say Ortiz allegedly pointed his gun at police, prompting officers to shoot him.

In video from the scene, officers can be heard ordering him to get away from the weapon as he was on the ground, then kicking the gun away. Authorities say Ortiz remained defiant, and officers deployed a Taser.

Prosecutors say Ortiz was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has not been cooperating with police. The woman who was shot remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Ciona Vidin, who says the victim is her neighbor, says she recognized Ortiz. "I said he looks a lot like our neighbor's boyfriend," Vidin said. She added that she had heard the couple argue before.

"We're just hoping that she's ok," Vidin said. "She was kind, she was a nice lady, I would have never expected that."

Police say Ortiz's family had recently raised concerns about his mental health.

"There were signs, unfortunately," Rouse said. "This was not someone that was really a known threat, but was someone that was going through some things and seemed to have snapped."

Ortiz is facing three counts of attempted murder, including one related to the shooting of his girlfriend and two connected to bystanders police say he fired at.