Reserve deputy charged with murder after bar brawl, shooting

05:25 PM CDT on Tuesday, June 9, 2009

By Shern-Min Chow / 11 News

HOUSTON -- A Precinct 6 reserve deputy has been charged with murder in connection with a shooting last week at a North Shepherd bar.

Jose Castillo, 39, is accused of killing Angel Erevia Jr., 31, following a disturbance at Buffalo Fred's Ice House in the 2700 block of North Shepherd.

He was off-duty at the time.

Police said a brawl broke out inside the ice house early Friday morning.

The victim's girlfriend, Araceli Sanchez, says she was there with Erevia when he ran into his estranged wife, who was reportedly there with Castillo.

“She hated me. She was jealous of me for having a baby with him,” Sanchez said. “She flipped me off and Negro said to go do something about it.”

A bar fight began. Sanchez, her sister and Erevia, ran to the parking lot. Erevia's estranged wife and Castillo allegedly followed.

Witnesses say Castillo started firing into the air and Erevia responded.

HPD detectives say Castillo fired back, striking Erevia four times. He was shot in the back, stomach and arms. Sanchez says she saw it all.

“He shot him again. He shot him when Negro was already on the floor,” Sanchez said.

At least eight rounds were fired, according to HPD homicide investigators.

The victim's friends drove him to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, but doctors weren't able to save him.

Castillo was a 14-year volunteer reserve deputy and was never on the payroll, according to Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino.

He volunteered about eight hours a week.

“Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, many lives have been affected and we want to express our condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” said Trevino.

Castillo was terminated for failure to follow departmental guidelines and for being charged with a felony.

Constable Trevino is stunned and says Castillo had no previous complaints or issues as a deputy.