Willimantic Police Make Arrest in Shooting

Willimantic police have arrested a 19-year-old man for a shooting that left a 16-year-old injured.

Half a dozen people were taken into police custody for questioning Tuesday after a 16-year-old was shot in the arm in a Willimantic alley near the 700 block of Main Street, according to police.

On Friday, police say they took Jaime Padilla, of Ash Street, into custody. He is charged with 1st-degree assault with a deadly weapon and 1st-degree reckless endangerment. He is being held on a $150,000 bond and expected in court September 2.

Police said the victim was walking with three other teens in an alley that runs between Main Street and Riverside Drive around 4 p.m. Tuesday when a man appeared in the alleyway and fired at the group.

The victim was struck once in the left arm and was taken to Windham Hospital, then transferred to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, according to police.

His injuries were non-life threatening.

The shooter ran from the scene. Police are calling it an isolated incident and said they don't believe there's any danger to the general public.

Police said they don't believe the shooting was random.

Main Street/Route 66 was closed in the area of Riverside Drive for several hours Tuesday while authorities responded to the scene.

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