Adrian Castillo, a 19-year-old male, was tragically killed on November 7, 2016, in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Houston Can Academy, where Castillo and another male were sitting in a car. According to witnesses, Castillo's vehicle was blocked by another vehicle, and several suspects exited the second vehicle and opened fire on Castillo's car before fleeing the scene.
Castillo and the wounded victim drove to an urgent care facility, where Castillo was pronounced dead. The other man was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
The investigation revealed that Jairo Chicas-Raimundo, 23, was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Adrian Castillo. Chicas-Raimundo, along with three other suspects—Juan J. Treminio, William Gerardo Cortez, and Melvin O. Ramirez—were involved in varying capacities in the unrelated death of Eleazar Vazquez. All four suspects were held in Harris County jail. The suspects were associated with the MS-13 gang, known for its brutal and violent activities.
The shooting was reported to have occurred around 12:35 p.m. inside the Houston Can Academy parking lot. Castillo and the other man were in a white pickup truck when a gray SUV pulled beside them, and someone in the SUV began arguing with them. Several people got out of the SUV and started shooting at Castillo and the other man before fleeing the scene. The incident prompted the school to follow emergency procedures, locking down the campus to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The motive behind the shooting was still under investigation, and authorities were trying to determine what prompted the attack. The Houston Police Department urged anyone with information about the case to contact Crime Stoppers. The tragic incident highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in the area and the need for increased efforts to address such crimes.
