Local News

Police have release information about Thursday night’s incident in Steadfast Village during which civilians were reportedly shot by some members of the Police Department.  Police say that at around seven twenty-five on that night three policemen from the Dangriga Police Formation responded to a report of Aggravated Burglary in village and that the investigation led the policemen to an area near mile 25 on the Hummingbird Highway.  While returning to the police station, the patrol spotted a black Toyota pick-up truck at mile 15 and a half.  The police say that the truck was parked in the middle of the Highway, but when the occupants noticed the police approaching, they sped off into a nearby road.  The patrol pursued the vehicle and intercepted it, and a search revealed that the driver was allegedly drinking a beer.  Another bottle containing what is believed to have contained alcohol was also discovered on the floor of the vehicle, along with money totaling over two thousand in cash.  The police say they informed the driver, Erasmo Castellanos, that he was being arrested for Reckless Driving and Driving under the Influence of Alcohol.  At this point, another of the vehicle’s occupants reportedly shouted that no one will arrest his brother or they will have to deal with the entire family at which point, Erasmo Castellanos also yelled that if the police arrest him they would have to kill his entire family. The police say that the policemen proceeded to Castellanos house where some other family members arrived on the scene, allegedly in an aggressive manner.  The officers claim they were cornered and their vehicle was blocked.  One of the brothers then allegedly aggressed a policeman with a machete, at which point he was ordered to stop, but after reportedly failing to do so, the policeman shot him twice in the leg.  The family members, eighteen of them according to the police, then reportedly armed themselves with bottles and began to shout and advance towards the policemen.   One of the Castellanos family members then allegedly tried to wrestle away the officer’s service revolver and the two were engaged in a struggle that ended with the policeman losing his flashlight and uniform shirt.  Another of the policemen also reportedly came under attack and at the sight of this, the third one fired two shots at the advancing relatives, at which point they retreated.  Police say that they attempted to take the injured family members to seek medical treatment, but the family refused.  The officers then reported to the Dangriga Police Station after securing one machete during the scuffle, along with the money recovered.  Those who were injured were:

1.     Isidoro CASTELLANOS, 32yrs. Laborer of Alta Vista was shot in lower abdomen.

2.     Erasmus CASTELLANOS, 30yrs, Laborer of Alta Vista was shot below right knee.

3.     Lucero CASTELLANOS, 24yrs, Laborer of Alta Vista was shot in right leg;

4.     Roberto NEAL, 26 yrs, Laborer of Alta Vista was shot in left knee.

All four persons are hospitalized in stable condition and remains under Police guard. Isidoro CASTELLANOS has since been transported to the K.H.M.H for further treatment.  Those arrested and charged are:

Isidoro CASTELLANOS, charged with Aggravated Assault upon a Police Officer,          Threatening Words, Obstruction

Erasmus CASTELLANOS, charged with Reckless Driving, Resist Arrest,                   Driving under the influence of Alcohol, Aggravated Assault, and Threatening Words

 Lucero CASTELLANOS, charged with Aggravated Assault upon a Police Office,        Threat of Death, Obstruction, Assault a Police Officer, Damage to Property,      Aggravated Assault upon another Police Officer

And Roberto Neal, charged with Aggravated Assault and  Obstruction