Alexander Castillo, 27, of the Bronx, was found guilty after a jury trial of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, among other charges, for shooting two men following a dispute at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the verdict.
“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 trial revealed that on December 28, 2022, Castillo played pool for several hours at a pool hall in Port Jefferson. Over the evening, he placed wagers on each game resulting in mounting financial losses. At approximately 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall and returned three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat while carrying a loaded firearm. He attempted to reclaim his losses from his opponent by displaying the firearm and demanding money. A struggle ensued where Castillo’s opponent and another male tried to wrestle away the gun. The altercation spilled onto the street where Castillo shot one man in the groin area and another in the chest.
Castillo fled before police arrived. Both victims were taken to local hospitals for emergency medical treatment.
On February 10, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Castillo in Manhattan.
On August 23, 2024, Castillo was found guilty of multiple charges after a jury trial 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 (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 (Class D violent felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
- One count of Petit Larceny (Class A misdemeanor)