Background: The Willow Grove Park Mall in Abington Township, Pennsylvania (Google Maps). Inset: Angel Ortiz (Abington Township Police Department).
A Pennsylvania mall witnessed a disturbing incident when a man, descending an escalator, overheard teenage girls mocking his scent and responded by stabbing one of them, according to officials.
Angel Ortiz, aged 23, now faces several charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. He is also charged with harassment and possession of a weapon with criminal intent. Ortiz is currently held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, with bail set at $50,000.
The incident unfolded around 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Willow Grove Park Mall in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, located just north of Philadelphia. According to a criminal complaint reported by local NBC affiliate WCAU, a 14-year-old girl and her friends were on the escalator with Ortiz right behind them.
Reports indicate that one of the girls remarked about an unpleasant smell, then pointed at Ortiz, accusing him of being the source. This provoked Ortiz, who began shouting at the group, according to the girl involved.
Ortiz allegedly challenged the girl by repeatedly asking, “Why don’t you hit me?” Surveillance footage, reviewed by police, captured Ortiz initially walking away from the group. However, the 14-year-old followed him and seemingly struck him on the head.
In retaliation, Ortiz reportedly swung back with a knife in his hand. He claimed he intended only to scare her, not to cause harm, yet the encounter left the girl with bleeding wounds on both arms.
The Abington Township Police Department reported arriving at the mall just before 2:30 p.m. following a report that a female had been assaulted by a male armed with a knife. The girl, “who had sustained multiple lacerations from an edged weapon,” was brought to an area hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Officers spotted Ortiz nearby. He allegedly said that after the fight with the teen, he went to a nearby Chipotle restaurant to “cool off” and wait for the bus, per WCAU. He was arrested with two pocket knives on him, police said.
Officers noted that the suspect and victim did not know each other before the incident.
Ortiz had a preliminary arraignment on Thursday. He is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 29.
