A 22-year-old Reading man is in custody following a chaotic series of events Tuesday night, during which he allegedly fired shots at police officers and endangered residents in the city’s southeast neighborhood.
The suspect, identified as Davius Manuel Ortiz, faces multiple felony charges, including attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and various firearms offenses. His bail has been set at $1 million.
The events unfolded around 8:01 PM on December 17, 2024, when officers from the Reading Police Department identified a stolen Toyota Camry traveling east on Cotton Street. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Ortiz reportedly fled the vehicle and initiated a foot pursuit.
The chase led to a series of dangerous encounters. Ortiz allegedly scaled a fence into the rear yard of a Cotton Street residence and fired a gunshot at pursuing officers. Additional shots were fired as Ortiz fled through a breezeway, striking two parked vehicles. One of the vehicles was occupied at the time, though no injuries were reported.
Ortiz then forced his way into an unoccupied home at 1269 Cotton Street, where he discarded some of his clothing before fleeing out a second-story window. He continued his escape across rooftops before falling behind a neighboring residence. Ortiz then entered an occupied home at 1267 Cotton Street, where residents reported he used an unlocked basement door to enter and flee out the front.
Police apprehended Ortiz outside the home, ending the pursuit. He was treated for a wrist injury sustained during his rooftop fall and later released from Tower Health Reading Hospital.
The Berks County Detective’s Office responded to the scene and agreed to conduct the criminal investigation into this shooting incident. They recovered seven 9mm shell casings near the scene and found Ortiz’s discarded clothing inside the residence at 1269 Cotton Street. A loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number was discovered hidden in a children’s bedroom on the third floor.
Further investigation confirmed that the stolen Toyota Camry had been reported missing the previous day. No officers discharged their weapons during the incident, and no civilians were injured.
Ortiz was charged with numerous offenses, including: Criminal Attempt-Homicide of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Criminal Trespass, Receiving Stolen Property and Firearms violations.
Following his arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Carissa L. Johnson, Ortiz was remanded to Berks County Jail on $1 million bail.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.