Police in Reading are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday evening at the 3rd and Spruce Recreation Center, an incident that left a 12-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds and prompted a temporary closure of the facility.
According to the Reading Police Department, officers were dispatched to the recreation center shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 following reports of gunfire inside the facility during a privately rented adult basketball tournament. When officers arrived, they learned that both victims had already been transported to Reading Hospital in private vehicles. Police said their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Chief Javier Ruiz said during a Monday press conference that detectives are reviewing video footage that has circulated on social media in an effort to identify individuals who were present at the scene. “Our investigators are aware that several videos capturing portions of the incident have been posted on social media,” Ruiz said. “At this time, investigators are actively reviewing all available video footage to identify individuals who were present at the scene.”
Police also addressed misinformation spreading online, noting that false claims that the victims had died are inaccurate. Ruiz said there is currently “no threat to public safety” and that the investigation remains active and ongoing. No arrests had been made as of Monday.
Mayor Eddie Morán, who joined Ruiz at the press conference, said the city does not typically discuss incidents while investigations are active but felt it was necessary because of widespread rumors. “Normally this is not the norm where we will come up and start discussing a situation while an active investigation is ongoing,” Morán said. “But it was very important that we move forward and provide some kind of information, as unfortunately nowadays social media creates stories and incorrect information, which could hinder the investigation itself.”
Morán emphasized that the shooting occurred during a privately rented event but said that distinction did not lessen the city’s concern. “Regardless whether this was a private event or a city-sponsored event or not, there’s no place for violence in our city,” Morán said. “We’re taking this very seriously, and everybody responsible is going to be taken to account and be brought to justice.”
He also urged the public to stop sharing unverified information. “I want individuals to please stop spreading rumors if we don’t know the facts because, again, not only it hinders, but it brings unnecessary tension and fear,” Morán said. “Our kiddos are safe. That’s my priority. It always has been.”
At the press conference, Reading Recreation Commission Executive Director Daphne Klahr said the event organizer had followed standard rental procedures, including obtaining permits, making payment, and providing insurance waivers. She said the city had an attendant on site and that the event itself also provided security.
Klahr was asked whether private renters can prohibit weapons inside city facilities. She said policies are clear for youth programs but less so for private rentals because of the law. “In our after-school programs and in our programs that involve youth, weapons are not permitted in our buildings,” Klahr said. “For a private event that is renting in a city building, it is not as clear, because you do have the constitutional right to carry a weapon legally into a city building.”
She added that the Recreation Commission will review its procedures but said it was too soon to discuss policy changes. “It’s premature to comment on that,” Klahr said. “Of course, everything requires us to look at our procedures and our protocols and see where we can tighten things up.”
Morán echoed that sentiment, saying the city would assess whether any adjustments are needed.
The mayor closed by reiterating his frustration that violence disrupted what he described as what “should have been something positive.”
“I’m frustrated because we have to start doing better,” Morán said. “If we continue to live in this manner, that for every disagreement or argument, we have to bring it to violence, we’re going to have to stay indoors, and we have to keep our kids indoors. That shouldn’t be.”
Police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Alert Berks at 877-373-9913.