July 31, 2017
On Saturday at 10:58 am Levy County deputies responded to
5530 SE 194th Lane in Inglis. A 22 year old Tampa man reported
accidentally shooting his father while inside the home. Responding deputies
found Manuel Castro (61) of Tampa on the floor in the living room. First
responders from Inglis Fire Rescue who had arrived at the same time deputies
had began administering first aid. Deputies secured the scene and requested
investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Crimes Scene
to respond.
Investigators arrived and spoke to Matthew James Castro (1-6-95),
the son of Manuel. Matthew told investigators he was in the kitchen area of the
home and was “playing” with a .22 rifle. He said his father had given him
permission to play with the gun and told him the gun was unloaded. While trying
to take the clip out of the gun, it fired. The bullet struck Manuel Castro in
the temple. Manuel Castro did not survive his injuries.
Crime Scene investigators and CID investigators
reconstructed the crime scene and determined the incident had not occurred as
Matthew first reported. The evidence did not match Matthew’s statement.
Investigators also spoke to members of the Hillsborough
County Sheriff’s Office and discovered Matthew had a violent history. The
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared multiple incidents where they had
contact with the Castro family because Matthew had battered his father or
destroyed family property.
Investigators determined Manuel Castro and his son Matthew
both reside in Tampa, Florida and that Manuel Castro also owns the home in
Inglis. He and his son came to Inglis for the weekend. Other family members who
reside in Tampa have been contacted by investigators.
Matthew Castro was arrested and has been charged with Second
Degree Murder and is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility with “no
bond.”