Port Aransas police arrested Ernesto Castillo on five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a beach shooting left five injured.
PORT ARANSAS, Texas — A witness experienced the moment the shooting happened late Saturday night on Port Aransas beach.
One minute, Amanda was delivering pizza.
“And then all of a sudden I saw a black truck back up and take off, and he fired what appeared to be a handgun about 10 times,” she said.
The next, she was in the middle of a crime scene.
“It was just pure chaos. Then the dispatcher hung up with me, and cops just swarmed everywhere and told us to leave,” she said. “By far the worst spring break I have ever seen. I’ve lived here for nine years, and it’s just chaos—sick chaos.”
Port Aransas police are investigating a shooting that sent five people to the hospital late Saturday night near Beach Marker 20.
According to Port Aransas Police Chief James Stokes, a preliminary investigation indicates an altercation occurred between two groups of people on the beach. During the fight, a firearm was pulled out, and multiple shots were fired.
Port Aransas Police Lt. Mike Hannon said multiple agencies responded to the scene to help the people who were shot.
“They were treated by Port Aransas police officers, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, and Department of Public Safety troopers, which we’d argue helped save their lives. They were then transported to the hospital for further medical attention, and as of right now, we understand that they’re all in stable condition,” Hannon said.
Hannon said officers tracked down the gunman early Sunday morning, just hours after the shooting. Ernesto Castillo, of San Antonio, was arrested on five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Amanda said she’s thankful the police were on top of it.
“The cops, I feel like they overworked themselves last night, but they did what they were supposed to do, and I thank them for it. They gave them a run for their money last night,” she said.
With one last week of spring break left, Hannon shared a message to the community:
“We’re doing everything in our power to make the area as safe as possible. We urge anyone who sees something that could be a safety issue to contact our dispatch and report it so we can respond. And anybody coming from out of town: don’t engage in unsafe conduct, don’t bring illegal weapons, and don’t get involved in criminal activity. It will draw attention, and it will be addressed by our department and the other agencies assisting us,” he said.
Amanda said this time of year brings in good money—but at what cost?
“I just want it to be over. Spring break brings money to the island, but when people act like this, it makes you think, ‘Do we want them back?’ It’s crazy. It’s kind of scary,” she said.
Officials said three people are currently in police custody and are being questioned in connection with the shooting. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
3NEWS will provide updates as they become available.