UPDATE: MARCH 16; 11:23 AM
A 17-year-old male from San Antonio has been arrested and charged with five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in connection with a shooting at Marker 20 that sent 5 people to the hospital with gunshot wounds Saturday night.
According to an arrest report from the Nueces County Sheriff's office, Ernest Josiah Castillo fired gunshots at a crowd of people on the beach as he was driving away in a black 2009 Chevy pickup truck around 11:39 p.m. on Saturday, March 14.
The arrest report states, "the Corpus Christi Police Department stopped a vehicle matching the description of a black Chevrolet pickup truck with three Hispanic males in it that left the scene prior to our arrival. CCPD detained three Hispanic males at the time of the stop."
Detectives found two shell casings on the beach that matched a Glock .45 caliber handgun located inside the truck.
Police interviewed the driver of the back Chevy truck, and he was able to confirm that Castillo fired multiple shots into a crowd of people as they were driving away.
The arrest report states, "the named suspect was wearing white and blue Versace shorts and had a gold grill on his teeth." Castillo was detained by police and remains in the Nueces County jail.
All five victims were transported to the hospital. At least two were reported to be in critical condition when they left the scene. The medical status of the remaining three victims has not yet been confirmed.
ORIGINAL: MARCH 15; 6:12 AM
Five people were shot at the Port Aransas beach Friday night, leaving at least two in critical condition, according to police.
Port Aransas Police Department responded to Beach Marker 20 at approximately 11:39 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, after reports of a shooting involving multiple victims. James Stokes, police chief of PAPD, confirmed that two separate groups of individuals got into an altercation on the beach, during which someone pulled out a pistol and fired into the crowd, striking five people.
All five victims were transported to the hospital. At least two were reported to be in critical condition when they left the scene. The medical status of the remaining three victims has not yet been confirmed.
Three suspects have been detained in connection with the shooting. Investigators confirmed that the three detained are suspects in the case and are not among the five victims.
The shooting comes during a busy spring break season in Port Aransas, which sees a significant influx of visitors this time of year.
Chief Stokes urged visitors to remain safe and responsible during their time on the island.
"We have a tremendous law enforcement presence, and we will continue to have that through the rest of spring break," Stokes said. "If you want to come and enjoy our beaches, we will make sure that you have a good and safe time — but if you're going to come to our beach and exhibit behavior that requires attention, we're definitely going to give you the attention."
Stokes specifically warned against underage drinking and reckless driving on the beach, stating that type of behavior "will not be tolerated."
He also reminded travelers heading to Port Aransas to drive the speed limit, buckle up, and be patient due to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
