Yuma, Arizona - On August 27th, 2016 at 3:20pm. Officers with the Yuma Police Department responded to a 911 call of a Domestic Disturbance in the 1400 block of West 12th Ln. Upon arrival officers discovered a Lanika Ortega, 36 year old female, in the driveway of her residence with stab wounds. She was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, but succumbed to her injuries.
During the initial moments of discovering Lanika Ortega in the driveway, Roberto Ortega, 37 year old male and husband to the victim, exited the residence and immediately engaged a responding officer. Roberto Ortega assaulted the officer and attempted to control the officer’s firearm. The officer was able to utilize his conducted electrical weapon (Taser) to restrain Roberto Ortega and take him into custody. The officer was uninjured.
Roberto Ortega was later booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for the following felony offenses:
- 1st Degree Murder (ARS 13-3601/13-1105.a1.)
- Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer (ARS 13-1204.a.8.a)
- Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer-Attempt to Control Firearm (ARS 13-1204.a.9.a)
Please contact the Yuma Superior Court for information on the next scheduled hearing for Roberto Ortega.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Remember if your information leads to an arrest you may receive up to a $1,000 cash reward.