Two people were in custody and one person was hospitalized after gunfire broke out during an arranged custody exchange in Lancaster County, authorities said.
Rashaun Taylor and Thalia Ortiz, both from Reading, were arrested shortly after police sounded a “BOLO” alert on Be On The Lookout Sunday night, Northern Lancaster County Police Department said.
Witnesses told police that Ortiz and Taylor arrived at a house on Lawnwood Court 2000 in east Petersburg around 8:20 p.m. to arrange an arranged custody exchange, police said.
An argument between Ortiz and the child’s father’s girlfriend turned physical, causing Ortiz to fire a 9mm pistol from the vehicle at the house, authorities said.
One of the shots went through a window and hit the victim, who was identified as an innocent bystander visiting the house, police said. The victim was shot in the hip and taken to Lancaster General Hospital for immediate treatment and care, the NLCRPD said.
Ortiz and Taylor fled the scene in a green Subaru Legacy and were located a short time later, authorities said.
They were taken to police headquarters for questioning while the vehicle and weapon were recovered and secured as evidence, the NLCRPD said.
Ortiz was charged with grievous bodily harm, recklessly harming another person, and shooting at an occupied building. Taylor was charged with offenses related to his involvement and aiding Ortiz in the crimes committed, police said.
The details of the incident are still being investigated by the NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Division.
The NLCRPD, Manheim Township Police Department, East Hempfield Police Department and the Serious Crimes Department of the Lancaster District Attorney are investigating.
Anyone with information that could help the NLCRPD specific to the incident is encouraged to call 717-733-0965 or contact the NLCRPD Crimewatch website.
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