BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 57-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Bridgeport resident last week near the intersection of Park Avenue and Cottage Street, police said.
Jorge Luis Ortiz, 57, was taken into custody Sunday night while walking on the city's East Side, according to Bridgeport police.
Before his arrest, Ortiz tried to flee from a patrol officer but was quickly apprehended, police said. He had an active arrest warrant charging him with murder and criminal possession of a firearm.
Police said Ortiz was not carrying a gun when he was arrested. Detectives and officers had been searching for him for several days in connection with the Oct. 12 killing of Nelson Manuel Batista, 48.
Batista was found lying in the street next to his vehicle on Cottage Street at approximately 9 a.m. on the 12th, suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was transported to St. Vincent's Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a road rage incident.
The funeral for Bautisa, the city's eighth homicide victim this year, was scheduled for Monday night, according to police.
Additionally, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Police Chief Roderick Porter were scheduled to hold a news conference Monday to discuss the arrest.
Ortiz, who is being held in lieu of bail of $2.5 million, was scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning in Bridgeport Superior Court on Golden Hill.
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