ALLENTOWN, Pa. – We’re hearing from the family of two people who were killed in a shooting in Allentown last Friday night.
This comes after the suspect in that shooting turned himself in to police Thursday. He has been identified as 43-year-old Gabriel Cartagena. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said Cartagena broke into a house on the 100 block of Chestnut St. in Allentown last Friday and started shooting with a handgun at anyone inside.
“I don’t know why he did it. The only thing I know is that he knocked on her door and she opened it and he shot her and kept shooting,” said Carmen Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lost her daughter, 44-year-old Ada Ortiz, and her great-grandson, 1-year-old Sebastian Serrano, that night. After learning the suspect’s identity, she’s left wondering who he is and why he would target her family.
“It gave me a pain in my heart because I don’t know why he did something like that. He didn’t know my daughter, my daughter wasn’t a problematic person and she didn’t mess with anyone,” said Rodriguez.
Holihan said the crime could have been worse, because Cartagena almost shot a 7-year-old boy in the house as well.
“As the suspect at that time pointed the gun at the 7-year-old child Leandro Ortiz stepped in front of the gun, at which point the assailant fired the gun,” said Holihan.
Ada’s husband Leandro Ortiz was shot, but he will survive. Cartagena is now facing charges of homicide, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault. As detectives continue to investigate, Rodriguez said she’s trying to support her surviving family.
“I’m going to try to help my grandkids the best that I can,” said Rodriguez.
The District Attorney’s office told us the affidavit is going to remain sealed in the case for at least 60 days. After that, we expect to learn even more details about how and why authorities believe this crime was committed.