An off-duty police superintendent in the Bahamas has been charged with the murder of an American citizen, as reported by local sources.
The Tallahassee Democrat identified the victim as Cody Castillo, a 31-year-old from Crawfordville, Florida. Castillo tragically lost his life on March 21 in Nassau after an altercation outside Da Plantation Bar & Grill. The incident reportedly involved 51-year-old Berneil Pinder, a superintendent with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), who was off-duty when the shooting occurred.
The RBPF has officially charged the senior officer with murder, and he has been arraigned, according to their statement. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe announced that a criminal investigation is underway.
“The police responded to the incident, obtained CCTV footage as part of their standard procedure, and initiated an investigation,” stated Munroe. “Should evidence support the filing of criminal charges, they will proceed accordingly. If they find themselves reluctant to press charges, the matter will be referred to a coroner’s inquest.”
Cody Castillo, who worked as a lineman, leaves behind a pregnant wife expecting their first child in August, adding to the tragedy of his death.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department has confirmed the death of the American, indicating their ongoing monitoring of the local authorities’ investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”Â
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Nassau said that they “are closely following the case of the shooting death of a U.S. citizen by an off-duty police officer last weekend.”
“We note with [the] deepest concern media reports that the officer followed the unarmed victim to his vehicle before fatally shooting him,” they said. “We urge the Government of The Bahamas to ensure the victim receives justice in this case without delay.”
Authorities have not released further official details about the identities of those involved or the circumstances of the shooting. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for additional information.
A criminal investigation is underway after Florida resident Cody Castillo was allegedly shot and killed by an off-duty Bahamas police officer in Nassau. (Facebook/Mikayla Harvey)
A GoFundMe identified Castillo as a lineman for Pike Electric who had been in the Bahamas for work. Fox News Digital has reached out to Pike Corporation for comment.
Crawfordville, Florida, man Cody Castillo was reportedly killed March 21 in Nassau. (Facebook/Mikayla Harvey)
The fundraiser states that Castillo and his wife, Mikayla, were married about a year ago and were expecting their first child, a boy due in August.
“Cody was working to support his family with PIKE Electric in the Bahamas. Then, in a moment that changed everything, Cody’s life was taken by senseless violence while he was working abroad,” they said.
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