FL Man Killed At Beach Bar In Bahamas, Cop Charged: Reports

NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian police officer is facing murder charges in connection with a shooting that killed a Florida resident at a beach bar, according to local authorities and media reports.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force on Wednesday revealed a male senior officer was formally arraigned on a murder charge in connection with a police shooting that happened Saturday near West Bay Street. It was the second of two shootings on the same day, police said.

The shooting killed Cody Castillo, a 31-year-old Crawfordville man working for PIKE Electric in the Bahamas, according to several media reports and a GoFundMe established for his pregnant wife.

It happened around 6 p.m. when a dispute broke out inside a local business and continued outside, according to police Monday. An off-duty officer was present at the time, police said.

One of the people engaged in the dispute got into a vehicle "and allegedly drove it in a threatening manner toward the officer. Fearing for his life, the officer drew his service weapon and fired a single shot at the driver," police said. The driver died of his injuries, police said.

Though police did not identify Castillo, he was identified in media reports and the GoFundMe.

The officer was identified in a Reuters report as Superintendent ​Berneil Pinder. He was reportedly awaiting the Bahama Supreme Court's decision on bail.

The deadly shooting infuriated Bahamian residents and Castillo's family, the Nassau Guardian reported.

Castillo and his wife, Makayla Harvey, are expecting a baby boy in August - their first child, according to the GoFundMe. The couple married a year ago.

"Makayla is now facing the unimaginable: grieving her husband while preparing to bring their son into the world alone. She's overwhelmed by the sudden loss, the weight of funeral expenses and the uncertainty of how she'll manage living costs and care for her baby without Cody by her side. The pain and fear are real, and she needs help from anyone who can offer it," organizers wrote.

More than $50,000 of $60,000 had been raised through the GoFundMe by Thursday afternoon.

Bahamian Prime ⁠Minister Philip Davis on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the deadly shooting, media reports say.

“The badge can never place anyone above the law. This moment also requires action beyond these cases," Davis said in a report by the Nassau Guardian.

"We must review the rules governing off-duty carriage of firearms, strengthen de-escalation standards and examine less-lethal options for our law enforcement agencies so officers have stronger tools to protect life wherever possible.”

U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas Herschel Walker ​on Wednesday said the FBI is assisting the probe, Reuters reported.