Suspect Pours Water Bottle on Disabled Woman's Head Before Trying to Stab Her in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Police responded to the 900 block of Cedar Avenue around 7:30pm on April 14^th after reports of a subject with a knife that was later changed to menacing.

Upon arrival, officers detained the suspect who was known to law enforcement from previous encounters as Jessica Ortiz. Officers then spoke with the victim who stated that she was sitting in her wheelchair outside of her residence around 7:30pm smoking a cigarette and minding her own business when a black female – now identified as Ortiz – came out of the lobby of the building and began screaming.

The victim stated that Ortiz grabbed a water bottle out of her hand and began dumping it all over her head. She asked Ortiz what her problem was, at which time Ortiz pulled out a large knife from her waistband and began swinging it at her. She was fearful for her life.

According to the report, people at the scene tackled Ortiz to wrestle the knife away from her. All individuals involved in tackling her left prior to police arrival.  

Ortiz was placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle and transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. She was charged with menacing 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon 4th: intent to use.

While being booked at police headquarters, officers observed Ortiz reach for her sports bra to attempt to conceal an unknown object. She was then told to remove her sports bra at which time a black and yellow screwdriver was observed under her breast.

No further information is available at this time.

Suspect Pours Water Bottle on Disabled Woman's Head Before Trying to Stab Her in Niagara Falls