On December 9, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., 25-year-old Christopher Saneth Rosa Castellanos was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex located at 650 Archdale Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina. Emergency medical services pronounced him deceased at the scene. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) initiated a homicide investigation, with detectives from the Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Search Unit processing the scene and collecting evidence.
Investigators determined that the incident was a robbery attempt. Castellanos, who was preparing for work, was approached by two individuals attempting to steal expensive tools from his work truck. During the confrontation, Castellanos attempted to defend himself but was shot and killed by the suspects, who fled the scene.
Following a thorough investigation, CMPD arrested two suspects in connection with the homicide. On December 11, 2024, 18-year-old Dagoberto Zelaya was charged with first-degree murder and breaking and entering a motor vehicle. A juvenile suspect was also arrested and charged with murder, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle. Due to the juvenile's age, their identity has not been publicly released.
Family members of the victim expressed relief following the arrests, noting that Castellanos was a hardworking individual who had been sending money to his mother in Honduras, who is battling colon cancer. They also mentioned that Castellanos had been working a construction job in the Charlotte area before his death.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the homicide is ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspects and the victim were previously acquainted. The CMPD continues to seek information from the public to assist in the investigation.
