A Bronx man who shot two men following a dispute at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022 has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Alexander Castillo, 27, was convicted by a Suffolk County jury in August on charges including assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the sentence, noting that Castillo had attempted to resolve a petty financial dispute with gun violence. “The defendant attempted to settle a petty financial dispute with a gun but instead will be spending the next 18 years in prison,” Tierney said.
According to evidence presented at trial, the incident took place on December 28, 2022, after Castillo had spent several hours playing pool and placing bets, resulting in significant financial losses. At around 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall, only to return minutes later wearing a ski mask and carrying a loaded firearm. He attempted to recover his lost money by brandishing the gun and demanding it from his opponent.
A struggle ensued when Castillo’s opponent and another man tried to disarm him. The altercation spilled out into the street, where Castillo shot one man in the groin and the other in the chest. Both victims were rushed to local hospitals and survived after receiving emergency treatment.
Castillo fled the scene but was arrested in Manhattan in February 2023 by members of the Suffolk County Police Department. His trial concluded on August 23, 2024, with a conviction on multiple felony charges, including criminal use of a firearm and attempted robbery.
On October 3, 2024, Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro sentenced Castillo to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
Photo: SCDA.
