Kirkland Drug Dealer ID'd As Man Shot By Redmond Police

REDMOND, WA - The man shot and killed by Redmond detectives at a Kirkland Safeway last week was under investigation for dealing drugs and possessing contraband, according to court documents. Marcello "Wicked" Castellano, 39, had been released from jail on $20,000 bond after he was arrested by Redmond police in February.

Redmond police began investigating Castellano in January after getting a tip from a confidential informant. Redmond detectives set up a sting, sending the informant to buy drugs from Castellano at his Kirkland apartment.

On Feb. 21, Redmond detectives arrested Castellano in Kirkland in the parking lot of a McDonald's. Castellano had about $2,000 in cash and a handgun on him at the time, but a K9 alerted to the scent of drugs in Castellano's truck, according to court records.

A followup search of Castellano's apartment turned up heroin and what appeared to be contraband - including stolen checks and credit cards.

Police confronted Castellano on June 14 in Kirkland. Police opened fire on him, although it's unclear what prompted that response. The shooting is under investigation by Kirkland police.

The Seattle Times first identified Castellano as the victim of the shooting on Wednesday evening.

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