A 17-year-old accused in a Port Aransas beach shooting that injured five people now faces five aggravated assault charges. A judge set his bond at $500,000 total.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 17-year-old suspect accused in the Port Aransas beach shooting that sent five people to the hospital made his first court appearance Monday, where his total bond was set at $500,000.
Ernesto Josiah Castillo is facing five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Nueces County court records. The cases were filed Sunday in the 214th District Court as pre-file felony charges.
During Monday’s hearing, Judge Melissa Madrigal set Castillo’s bond at $100,000 on each count. Court records also show an attorney was appointed to represent him.
According to a Nueces County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit sent to 3NEWS, Port Aransas police received a 911 call at about 11:39 p.m. Saturday reporting multiple people had been shot near Pole 20 on the beach. Officers learned five people had suffered gunshot wounds.
Investigators said witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a black Chevrolet pickup occupied by three Hispanic males. Corpus Christi police later stopped a vehicle matching that description, and officers found a Glock .45-caliber handgun inside, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states Castillo later admitted he fired multiple times while the group was driving away from Pole 20 toward Corpus Christi. Investigators also said Castillo matched the description witnesses gave at the scene.
Port Aransas Police Chief James Stokes has said the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two groups on the beach. Police have said the victims are in stable condition.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional court dates had not been listed as of Monday.
