Two Shot in Cotton Tree; One Dead, One Critical

We start off tonight with a report of a fatal shooting incident that left a man dead and another in critical condition and paralyzed. The attack happened on Saturday night in Cotton Tree Village, which is one of the communities that the State of Emergency covers. The incident was sparked by an argument among friends and quickly escalated into gun violence when the deceased went out to see what was taking place. He was the first to be shot, then the other man, who attempted to run away. The shooter and the men were reportedly having a few drinks when the altercation happened. News Five’s Marion Ali visited Cotton Tree Village and brought back this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

The bloodstained spot on the dirt road is where thirty-nine-year-old Clint Castillo collapsed and died after he was shot in the face shortly before eleven on Saturday night. He was asleep on a sofa in one of the homes when he heard a ruckus outside and went out to investigate what was happening. A group of friends who were drinking on the street got into an argument and Castillo stepped in to deescalate the situation. But it didn’t.

 

One of the men produced a handgun and shot Castillo at close range, before turning the weapon on the man with whom he had the dispute, Andrew Muns. Andrew Muns is reportedly paralyzed and in a critical condition in the K.H.M.H. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero shares what the police have gathered so far.

 

 

 

 

 

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the sixth day of July 2024, about 10:50 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at Cutting Tree Village. Upon the arrival, they learned that two persons had been shot. They were identified as Clint Castillo and Andrew Muns. Information is that these persons were along with other persons in the area when an argument started between them. One of the persons then pulled out a firearm and fired shots towards him. Causing the fatal injuries to claim Castillo. Andrew Muns remains at the hospital in critical condition. They were hanging out drinking together and at some point, an argument began between them.  Uh, we are not sure what the argument was about.”

 

 

 

Castillo’s sister, Anna Middleton, tells News Five that gun violence and tragedy have revisited the family just four months apart.

 

Anna Middleton, Sister of Clint Castillo

“We’re just getting over mourning our brother that they killed March 4th, 2024, Cruz Castillo. We are trying to get over him and they did this to us. Clint Castillo, within four months, I have to be here planning another brother’s funeral. Clint was a sweet, funny dude.  He – the only thing we had with him was the drinking, and I wa miss ah. Clint wasn’t a criminal. He wasn’t; just the drinking. They had problem with him.”

 

 

 

 

Middleton says the family advised Castillo to be careful after their younger brother, Cruz Castillo, was killed in March.

 

Anna Middleton

“From the time we buried Cruz Castillo, we have always told him, I said, Clint, find somewhere else to live, move out of that village. They’re coming, they will come out to you. They will come out to you because of our brother’s reputation. So every two weeks they be calling me, Anna. Clinton get into and I’d be like, Oh my goodness, my brother when I, when we check into it, he’s not in the wrong. People is always attacking him when he’s drunk. I’m hearing they had an altercation two weeks ago when that same, I think they said the said dude end up punching my brother in his mouth.”

 

 

Police have detained one man and are seeking a second in connection with the incident. Clint Castillo would have turned forty next month. Marion Ali for News Five.