Police said Jose Ortiz was shot by officers after he aimed a gun at them near 9th and Walnut streets.
CHESTER, PA — A 42-year-old man shot his girlfriend, fired at bystanders and pointed a gun at police during a Wednesday night shooting in Chester that ended when officers shot and stunned him, authorities said.
Jose Ortiz is facing three counts of attempted murder after the gunfire near 9th and Walnut streets, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. The woman remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday, while Ortiz was treated for injuries that prosecutors described as not life-threatening. The case is now under review by Chester police and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
Police said officers were called around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to the area of 9th and Walnut streets after reports of a domestic incident and a woman screaming for help. Witnesses told investigators they heard Ortiz and the woman arguing before gunfire broke out. Investigators said Ortiz shot the woman in the back, then fired at people nearby and at drivers passing through the area. “This was a man who was opening fire on anyone that was walking by,” Rouse said. “These police officers responded to shots fired, put themselves in harm’s way.”
When officers arrived, investigators said, Ortiz was standing over the wounded woman. Police said he then pointed a gun at responding officers, prompting them to fire. Ortiz was struck at least once, authorities said. Video from the scene showed officers ordering him to move away from the weapon while he was on the ground. Officers later kicked the gun away and used a Taser before taking him into custody, officials said. Prosecutors said Ortiz had not been cooperating with investigators as of Thursday.
Authorities said the shooting scene stretched around the intersection near the Walnut Street Deli, where investigators found numerous evidence markers and spent shell casings. Police initially reported that three people had been shot, but officials later said two people had been struck by gunfire: the woman and Ortiz. At least 25 shell casings were found at the scene, according to police. Officials said no officers were injured, and they reported no ongoing threat to the public after Ortiz was taken into custody.
Rouse said a witness who had a license to carry intervened before police arrived, though officials did not release more details about that person’s actions. Investigators said Ortiz was not licensed to carry a gun. The district attorney said officers’ actions were justified based on the video reviewed so far. “What they did was not only lawful, it was heroic,” Rouse said. “It was exactly what we ask our law enforcement officers to do.” He said no charges would be filed against the officers involved.
Chester Mayor Stefan Roots said the episode was a dangerous and fast-moving emergency for residents and police. “This is a deeply troubling incident, and our thoughts are with the victim and her family during this difficult time,” Roots said. He said the city would continue working with law enforcement partners on a full investigation. The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is reviewing the officer-involved shooting, a standard step after police fire their weapons.
Neighbors described hearing heavy gunfire and seeing a large police response at the intersection. Ciona Vidin, who said the wounded woman is her neighbor, told reporters she recognized Ortiz and 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.” Another Walnut Street resident, Steve Sharpe, described hearing “a lot of gunfire” before police secured the scene.
Police said Ortiz’s family had recently raised concerns about his mental health. Rouse said Ortiz was not considered a known threat before the shooting, but relatives had noticed troubling signs. “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.” Officials did not release the name of the woman who was shot.
Ortiz faces one attempted murder count tied to the shooting of his girlfriend and two counts tied to bystanders police said he fired at. Investigators are still reviewing video, shell casings, witness statements and police actions from Wednesday night. The next major step is the filing and review of court records as prosecutors move the case forward.
Author note: Last updated April 24, 2026.