A Bronx man faces up to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of shooting two men following a heated dispute over gambling losses at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022.
Alexander Castillo, 27, was convicted by a jury on August 23, 2024, of multiple charges, including Assault and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, stemming from the violent altercation. The incident occurred on December 28, 2022, after Castillo had spent several hours playing pool and placing wagers on each game. As the evening progressed, Castillo’s financial losses mounted, leading to a confrontation that turned deadly.
At approximately 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall, only to return minutes later, this time wearing a ski mask and hat and armed with a loaded firearm. Intent on reclaiming his lost money, Castillo brandished the gun and demanded his opponent hand over the cash.
A struggle ensued, with Castillo’s opponent and another male attempting to wrestle the firearm away from him. The altercation spilled out onto the street, where Castillo shot one man in the groin and another in the chest before fleeing the scene.
Both victims were rushed to local hospitals for emergency treatment of their injuries. Castillo remained on the run until February 10, 2023, when he was apprehended by Suffolk County Police in Manhattan.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney praised the work of law enforcement.
“Violent crime such as the double shooting committed by the defendant here has a devastating impact on our community and cannot be tolerated,” said 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.”
Castillo was found guilty of two counts of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and several other related charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2024.
