READING, Pa. – Police confirm that a shooting left one man hurt in Reading’s City Park on Monday night.
Under the blazing sun, there was a burst of gunfire.
“The parents called on my phone, like, ‘Hey, coach, are you still having practice?’ I’m like ‘Yeah,’ and they said, ‘But what about the shooting up there?’ I’m like, ‘Shooting?’” said Shermar Killen, Blacktop Basketball.
The City Park basketball courts, usually packed with pickup games, became the latest scene of violence in Reading.
Police say a man was shot in the leg. This, just days after a triple shooting this weekend left neighbors shaken.
“It’s puzzling. I really can’t believe it, to be honest with you,” said Jake Haim, Reading.
People in the park say the violence hits differently when it reaches places designed for recreation and community.
“A lot of the kids get trauma. They’re traumatized when they see stuff, and in the back of their head, they picture that,” Killen said. “Some kids might not even want to play ball anymore.”
Tim Lind | WFMZ-TV
As temperatures rise and summer programs begin, the basketball courts are expected to be busy with kids and adults.
“I’m up here every day. I come up here and ride in the morning. I’m up here trying to ball,” Haim said.
Yellow crime scene tape stretched across the court as police investigated, but not long after, officers cleared the scene, the games resumed.
“The sad part is, is that everybody just goes on their business like nothing happened,” Haim said.
People are calling for solutions before another violent incident unfolds in a place families depend on during the summer months.
“You want your kid to go out there and have fun and play with other kids, and you got to worry about foolishness like this — a shooting at a park.” Killen said. “This was supposed to be a safe place. I mean, a park?”
The victim is receiving medical care for his injuries.