Two Teens Arrested in Drive-By Shooting

Two teens were arrested on weapons and drug charges after the front glass door was shot out of a business on the north side of Fort Smith Wednesday night.

Manuel DeJesus Ortiz, 18, and a 17-year-old Hispanic boy are being held without bond in Sebastian County detention centers.

Officers were dispatched to Alameda Fashions located at 1319 N. Greenwood around 10:15 p.m., according to a police report.

They met with the owner, Bridgette Rangel, who also lives above the business. She reported to police she was watching television and heard what sounded like two gunshots, the report states.

When she went downstairs, Rangel saw a blue Mercury Cougar leaving the area, police say. Rangel told police she was familiar with the owner of the vehicle and was able to identify at least one of the occupants.  A second witness reported seeing the vehicle in the alley on the south side of the business just before the shooting, the report states.

Ortiz, the driver, and two Hispanic teens were in the vehicle. Officers searched the Cougar and found a .380 caliber handgun and about 15 grams of marijuana. Ortiz and one of the teens were arrested.

The backseat passenger was interviewed as a witness and released, according to police.