READING, Pa. – The U.S. Marshals Service say the suspect who allegedly injured a man and 12-year-old child during a shooting at a Reading recreation center is in custody.
The Marshals announced the arrest of 18-year-old Roylin Cabral-Villa Thursday afternoon in a social media post. The suspect was apprehended in Girardville, Schuylkill County.
Cabral-Villa was wanted in connection with a Feb. 1 shooting at Third and Spruce Recreation Center in Reading. Officials say the center had been rented out for a private, adult basketball tournament that was not run by the city.
Authorities say it was with the public’s help that they were able to identify the suspect so quickly and bring him into custody.
The teenager was taken into custody in Schuylkill County early Thursday morning.
U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia
“When any victim is involved, it’s always a good feeling to be able to close the case out quickly,” said Reading Police Capt. Cheryl Pentheny.
Police say they now have a better idea of what led to the the incident.
“We believe that there were numerous different fights going on that the shooter went to get involved in one of these fights, and then during the course of his insertion into a fight is when he pulled out a gun and fired a shot,” Pentheny said.
Authorities believe one shot was fired, and it hit both victims.
“It could have been catastrophically worse because having a gun in a environment like that — you’re full of innocent people,” the police captain said. “It’s just a blessing that no one else was injured.”
The 23-year-old man and child who were injured in the incident both are expected to survive.
“The 12-year-old victim ended up having surgery for his injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery,” Pentheny said.
Police say the public’s help was crucial in catching the suspected shooter.
“There’s absolutely no reason why an 18-year-old should have a gun, let alone bring a gun into an environment where you have children and people trying to go and enjoy a good time,” Pentheny said.
Cabral-Villa is charged with aggravated assault, risking a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and related offenses.
Online court records list him as in the custody of Berks County Jail on $200,000 bail.
Roylin Cabral-Villa