Bronx Man Found Guilty Of Shooting 2 Men At Suffolk Pool Hall: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Bronx man was found guilty by a jury of shooting two men after an argument at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Monday.

Alexander Castillo, 27, of the Bronx, was convicted of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and other related charges.

"Violent crime such as the double shooting committed by the defendant here has a devastating impact on our community and cannot be tolerated," Tierney said in a news release. "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 played pool for several hours at a pool hall in Port Jefferson on Dec. 28, 2022, evidence at the trial established, the DA said. Over the evening, Castillo placed wagers on each game which resulted in mounting financial losses, officials said.

Around 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall and returned approximately three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat, while carrying a loaded firearm, prosecutors said. Castillo tried to take back his losses from his opponent by displaying the loaded firearm and demanding the money, investigators said.

Castillo's opponent and another man tried to wrestle the gun away from Castillo, authorities said. When the struggle spilled out onto the street, Castillo shot one man in the groin area and shot a second man in the chest, officials said.

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

Castillo was arrested in Manhattan by Suffolk police officers on Feb. 10, 2023, authorities said.

Castillo was found guilty on Friday, Tierney said, of:

• Two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm.
• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
• One count of second-degree criminal use of a firearm.
• Four counts of second-degree assault.
• One count of second-degree attempted robbery.
• One count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
• One count of petty larceny.

Castillo is due back in court for sentencing on Oct. 3 and faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.