BRONX MAN FOUND GUILTY BY JURY OF ASSAULT AND WEAPON POSSESSION AFTER SHOOTING TWO MEN IN PORT JEFFERSON

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Alexander Castillo, 27, of the Bronx, was found guilty after a jury trial of Assault and Criminal Possession of a Weapon and other related charges, for shooting two men following a dispute at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022.

“Violent crime such as the double shooting committed by the defendant here has a devastating impact on our community and cannot be tolerated,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I commend the Suffolk County Police Department for their diligent work in tracking down and bringing this defendant to justice, which was achieved with today’s verdict thanks to the jury’s thorough review of the evidence.”

The evidence at trial established that on December 28, 2022, Castillo played pool for several hours at a pool hall in Port Jefferson. Over the course of the evening, Castillo placed wagers on each game which resulted in mounting financial losses. At approximately 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall and returned approximately three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat, and carrying a loaded firearm. Castillo attempted to take back his losses from his opponent by displaying the loaded firearm and demanding the money. A struggle ensued where Castillo’s opponent and another male tried to wrestle the gun away from Castillo. When the struggle spilled out onto the street, Castillo shot one man in the groin area and shot a second man in the chest.

Castillo fled the scene before the police arrived. Both victims were taken to local hospitals and received emergency medical treatment for their injuries.

On February 10, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Castillo in Manhattan.

On August 23, 2024, Castillo was found guilty of the following charges after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro:

• Two counts of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
• One count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
• Four counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
• One count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
• One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

Castillo is due back in court for sentencing on October 3, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Melissa Turk and Ken Collado of the Violent Crimes Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Martin Lupo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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