By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
(Much of this was taken from previous Del Rio Police Department releases following Eric Anthony Castillo’s arrests.)
A Del Rio man is accused of shooting his second person in less than a year. This time, he is accused of shooting a policeman.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Eric Anthony Castillo, 36, of Del Rio.
First shooting leaves man wounded
His first alleged shooting occurred in May of 2025 when a 30-year-old man, identified as Alan Alderete, was shot in the abdomen.
Del Rio Police Department identified Castillo as the key suspect in the initial investigation, thanks to tips from the public and videos that identified a silver 2020 GMC Sierra Denali HD.
Officers traced the vehicle to a residence on Braddie Drive, where the registered owner told police Castillo was the sole operator of the truck
and had been distraught and possibly suicidal earlier in the day.
Arrest follows multi-agency search
Authorities were told Castillo may be heading toward the Rancho Del Rio area. A search of that area was unsuccessful.
Shortly after, a license plate reader alert indicated the vehicle was traveling east on U.S. Highway 90 toward Brackettville.
Multiple agencies — including the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol and Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office — assisted in locating the vehicle.
The truck was eventually stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint west of Uvalde.
Castillo was identified as the driver. Investigators noted the vehicle had damage consistent with evidence found at the scene, and Castillo appeared disheveled with minor scratches.
After being read his Miranda rights, Castillo declined to provide a statement.
He was arrested and transported to the Del Rio Police Department. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation.
Castillo was later magistrated by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 George Salinas, who set bond at $20,000. Castillo also requested a court-appointed attorney.
Officer shot during Sunday encounter
Now, about 11 months later, Castillo is accused of shooting a Del Rio police officer during an early Sunday morning encounter.
According to information provided by the Del Rio Police Department, officers responded at approximately 7:28 a.m. Sunday to the 900 block of East 10th Street regarding a vehicle alarm.
Officers located a white GMC Sierra 2500 in a carport with the alarm sounding. After observing the front door open and receiving no response, officers entered the residence to conduct a welfare check.
Inside, officers encountered Castillo, who allegedly pointed a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking one officer in the upper thigh.
The officer returned fire, and Castillo retreated and barricaded himself inside the residence.
Additional officers responded and secured the scene. Castillo later exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
The injured officer was transported to Val Verde Regional Medical Center and is reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Multiple charges filed
Castillo now faces multiple charges, including three counts of deadly conduct — discharge of a firearm, one count of aggravated assault on a public servant and one count of attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
However, Alderete’s sister said this should have never happened.
The 830 Times will continue to follow this developing story.
