Incident:   2105034039

Type:   SHOOTING-CLASS 1 

Time Received:  05/30/2021 20:22:29

Status: COMPLETE

Service: POLICE

NLCRPD Patrol District Assignment:   L86 SECTOR 41 EAST PETE BORO P8610 

Primary Agency: NORTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Responsible Unit:  P86-8

Incident Location: 2000 BLOCK LAWNWOOD CT

Municipality:  EAST PETERSBURG

Cross-Streets:  HOLLOW DR/DEAD END

On the evening of May 30, 2021, @ 2022 hours NLCRPD was dispatched to the 2000 Block of Lawnwood Court for the report of a shooting that just occurred at an occupied residence. On scene, officers found that an adult female victim had sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot to her hip. The victim was taken to Lancaster General Hospital for immediate treatment and care. The suspects believed responsible had fled the scene in a green, Subaru Legacy vehicle.

With the assistance of Manheim Township Police, the vehicle and two involved suspects, Thalia Garcia ORTIZ, and a Rashaun Jamar TAYLOR, both from Reading, PA, were located and taken into custody shortly after the incident occurred. 

An immediate follow-up investigation was launched. Preliminary information obtained from varied witnesses and evidence on the scene indicated that ORTIZ and TAYLOR arrived at home as part of an arranged child custody exchange.  A verbal, then physical argument ensued between ORTIZ and the child’s father’s girlfriend.  Post argument: ORTIZ and TAYLOR entered a vehicle to leave the area. Preliminary information received suggests that ORTIZ then fired numerous shots from a 9mm handgun, from the vehicle, in the direction of the home. One of the rounds passed through a window and struck the victim, identified as an innocent bystander who was visiting the residence. No other persons were found to have been injured. 

‘Be on the lookout Information’ was relayed to NLCRPD and surrounding agencies. ORTIZ and TAYLOR were located and stopped by police a short distance away.  Both suspects were taken into custody without incident and transferred to NLCRPD headquarters for questioning. The vehicle and gun involved were recovered and secured as evidence.

ORTIZ was charged with crimes associated with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment of another person, and shooting at an occupied structure. TAYLOR was charged with offenses associated with his involvement and aiding ORTIZ in the crimes committed. The details of the incident remain under investigation by the NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Division. Both suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

The response, follow-up investigation, and initial conclusion of the incident were successful in part of a joint effort by the NLCRPD, Manheim Township Police Department, East Hempfield Police Department, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Lancaster District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information that may assist the NLCRPD, specific to the incident, is asked to contact the NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Division at 717-733-0965 or through the NLCRPD Crimewatch webpage.