Ray Castro (2024)

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Overview

Body-worn camera video

On March 16, 2024, South Beloit Illinois Police Department Officer Paul Reed stopped a vehicle. Reed learned that the passenger was Castro, who had two warrants out for his arrest. Castro refused to exit the vehicle. As officers attempted to remove Castro from the vehicle, the driver accelerated. Reed, who was in the car, fired his handgun, striking the driver in the leg. The vehicle crashed.[1][2]

Castro fled into a business, threatened a man with a knife, and hijacked the man's car.[2] Castro crossed the border into Wisconsin.[3] When officers attempted to contain Castro's vehicle, he drove at Roscoe Illinois Police Department Sergeant Robert Lewis who was exiting his vehicle. Lewis fired, striking Castro.[4]

First aid was rendered. Castro died at the hospital.[3]

The incident was captured on officers' body-worn cameras and surveillance cameras.[1][5]

Lewis was placed on administrative leave.[3]

The Winnebago Boone County Illinois Integrity Task Force opened an investigation.[6]

An investigation will be conducted by an independent agency, which is required under state law for incidents where a person dies during an encounter with a police officer. The state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) opened an investigation.[5]

On May 17, 2024, the Rock County District Attorney found that Lewis "acted lawfully", "in self-defense", and there was "no basis for prosecution of a criminal offense".[5]

On May 30, 2024, the Winnebago County State's Attorney found that Reed's use of force was justified and criminal charges were not warranted.[7]

Officers Involved

Public Comments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 UPDATE: Officer Involved Death in Rock County, Wis., Wisconsin Department of Justice, 2024-04-01
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Matt Beyer, Illinois authorities reveal new details about what led to police fatally shooting suspect in Beloit, WKOW, 2024-03-17
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Caroline Bach, DOJ releases name of police sergeant who fatally shot suspect in Beloit, WKOW, 2024-04-01
  4. ↑ Lewis' Body-Worn Camera Video, Wisconsin Department of Justice, 2024-05-13
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 News Release, Rock County Distrct Attorney, 2024-05-17
  6. ↑ Grace Houdek, One person dead after two officers fire their weapons in Beloit, South Beloit, WKOW, 2024-03-16
  7. ↑ Police Involved Shooting Decision Memorandum, Winnebago County State's Attorney, 2024-05-30

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