Man Who Shot 2 Men Over Billiards Argument Indicted: Suffolk DA

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — A Bronx man accused of shooting two men after an argument in a Port Jefferson pool hall in December was indicted Wednesday on an attempted murder charge and other felonies.

Alexander Castillo, 26, was accused of shooting two men after he lost money in multiple games of billiards, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

"This defendant allegedly lost money playing pool and then decided to steal back his losses with an illegal firearm, shooting two people in the process," Tierney said in a news release. "Fortunately, both victims survived their injuries, and no others were hurt. This case is a prime example of why my officer is committed to stopping gun violence."

Castillo was playing billiards at a pool hall on Main Street in Port Jefferson for several hours on Dec. 28, authorities said. He became angry as his financial losses mounted after he placed wagers on each game over the evening, prosecutors said.

Castillo left the pool hall at 7:05 p.m. and came back three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat while carrying a loaded firearm, officials said. He tried to take back his billiards losses from his opponent by displaying the loaded firearm and demanding the money back, the DA's office said. Castillo's opponent and another man then tried to wrestle the gun away from Castillo, prosecutors said.

The fight spilled out into the street, and Castillo shot one man in the groin and the other man in the chest, officials said. Castillo fled before police arrived, authorities said.

Both victims were taken to local hospitals and received emergency medical treatment for their injuries, prosecutors said.

Castillo was found hiding in New York City and was arrested on Feb. 10 by Suffolk police, police said.

Castillo was charged with:

• One count of first-degree attempted murder (a class B violent felony)
• Two counts of first-degree assault (a class B violent felony)
• Two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm (a class B violent felony)
• Two counts of first-degree attempted robbery (a class C violent felony)
• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a class C violent felony)
• One count of second-degree criminal use of a firearm (a class C violent felony)
• Five counts of second-degree assault (a class D violent felony)
• One count of second-degree attempted robbery (a class D violent felony)
• One count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a class D felony)
• One count of petty larceny (a class A misdemeanor)

Castillo was held on $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on April 13 and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.