On the evening of New Year's Eve 2022, a young man's life was tragically cut short in Richland, Washington. Michael Castoreno, a 21-year-old male, was at the Columbia Park Apartments on Jadwin Avenue when a confrontation turned deadly. He was approached by a group of teenagers who reportedly questioned him about gang affiliations. Shortly after he responded, gunfire erupted, and Michael was struck by multiple bullets. Medics arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his wounds. Witnesses reported seeing several people fleeing the area immediately after the shots were fired. His family, who learned of the shooting through social media, described him as a kind-hearted and free-spirited person with a contagious laugh, stating he was not involved in gangs. They believe he may have been targeted for wearing a blue Washington State University hat.
The investigation into the shooting led Richland police to identify two primary suspects: Felipe Manjares, who was 19 at the time, and 17-year-old Rafael Torres Topete. The investigation was aided by a police dog tracking to a nearby apartment and shell casings that linked the scene to other recent shootings in the area. An Instagram photo posted the night of the incident also helped police identify the suspects, showing them in the same clothing seen on security cameras. Investigators believe Manjares fired first, followed by Torres Topete who fired two more shots.
A significant effort was made to bring the suspects to justice. Rafael Torres Topete was arrested and, though initially charged with murder, he later pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to a prison term ranging from nine to twelve years. Felipe Manjares fled the state to Oklahoma with the help of his mother, Rosalina Guzman. U.S. Marshals tracked him down, and he was arrested and extradited back to Washington to face a charge of premeditated first-degree murder; he is currently awaiting trial. Rosalina Guzman was also arrested and charged with rendering criminal assistance for her role in her son's escape. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven months in jail. Additionally, her boyfriend, Valentin Sanchez, was charged with rendering criminal assistance, and Manjares' 16-year-old brother was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm.
