The Willimantic Police Department reports that it has arrested someone in connection to several shootings that have happened this week. Police believe the incidents are related.
Jaime Padilla, 19, of Willimantic, was charged with assault in the first degree with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment in the first degree specifically for a shooting that occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 26. He is being held on $150,000 cash/surety bond, and he’s due in court September 2.
The police provided FOX CT with a timeline of the seven related incidents:
On Tuesday, Aug. 26 FOX CT reported that a 16-year-old male was shot in the arm on Main Street while he was walking with three other teens. None of the other teens were injured. The victim was taken to Windham Hospital, and then transferred to the Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, where he underwent surgery, but his injuries aren’t life-threatening. Police immediately had a suspect for this incident.
On Thursday, Aug. 28 Willimantic Police responded to shots fired at the Kingswood Apartments on Ash Street. Police didn’t find any physical evidence to support the report, but did get information that a specific vehicle was involved. A few minutes later State Police got a call about shots fired on Windham Center Road in Windham. The Willimantic Police remained at the first scene to see if the vehicle would return. It did, and three people were detained. No evidence was found in their vehicle, and after both police departments interviewed them all three were released without charges.
Another shooting occurred Thursday night around 10:40 p.m. on the 200 block of Church Street in Willimantic. Witnesses told police a gray BMW may have been involved. The officers who responded to the scene were able to stop the BMW and detain the two minors who were in the car after a BB gun was found. Police also found a heavily damaged vehicle nearby, which they believe the two teens targeted. One of the teens from this incident was identified as one of the three individuals who was with the 16-year-old who was shot on Tuesday.
At 11:40 p.m. on Thursday Willimantic Police responded to another report of shots fired on the 100 block of Ivan Hill Street. Police found that someone had fired several shots at a home.
At 2:30 a.m. Friday morning Willimantic Police responded to the Windham Hospital Emergency Room on reports that a 17-year-old had been shot. The teenage man said someone had shot him in the right leg on Prospect Street. His injuries were not life-threatening, but he was transferred to the Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
At some point on Friday a person called the police to report that there were bullet holes in their home on Manners Avenue. Police found one bullet hole in the house.
The Willimantic Police believe that all the incidents are related, and they continue to investigate. If you have any information on any of the incidents call Detective Doug Glode 860-465-3135, extension 240.
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