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Alexander Castillo, of the Bronx, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Oct. 3, stemming from a shooting at a Port Jefferson pool hall.
Prosecutors said Castillo spent several hours playing pool at the establishment on Dec. 28, 2022. Over the course of the evening, he placed bets on each game and lost an undisclosed amount of money.
Shortly after 7 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall and returned three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat. He then pulled out a loaded gun and demanded that his opponent give him his money back.
A struggle ensued, during which Castillo’s opponent and another man tried wrestling the gun away from him. The three spilled onto the street, where Castillo shot one man in the groin and the other in the chest.
Both victims were taken to hospitals with serious injuries and survived the attack.
Castillo remained on the lam until Feb. 10, 2023, when he was arrested by Suffolk County Police in Manhattan.
On Friday, Aug. 23, a Suffolk County jury found him guilty of the following counts:
- Three counts of criminal use of a firearm (felonies)
- Three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (felonies)
- Four counts of assault (felonies)
- Attempted robbery (felony)
- Petit larceny (misdemeanor)
“With this sentence, we want the public to know that we are holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“The defendant attempted to settle a petty financial dispute with a gun but instead will be spending the next 18 years in prison.”
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