Marcello Castillo Jr. Listed in Critical Condition After Being Shot by Escondido Police Department Officer Outside Halfway House
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (February 2, 2026) – A 34-year-old man identified as Marcello Castillo Jr. has been seriously injured in an Escondido police shooting outside a halfway house.
San Diego County officials are saying that the incident took place around 2:30 AM on Tuesday. Authorities received reports about a man who intentionally cut himself with a knife outside of a sober-living and community re-entry facility.
When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Marcello Castillo Jr. who was allegedly still holding a knife. Personnel tried to talk to the man for about an hour and convince him to surrender.
However, he reportedly stopped communicating and eventually locked himself inside the bathroom. At some point during the incident, he exited the restroom and began walking around the property.
An officer armed himself with a 40mm rubber projectile gun. Officers told Marcello Castillo Jr. to drop the stick he was holding as he was walking through an alley.
Shortly after this, an officer opened fire and struck the man. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition. A full investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
Liability for San Diego County Police Shootings
Police officers in San Diego must use care to avoid needlessly harming any suspect that they encounter. This is particularly important for suspects that may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. If a police officer uses excessive force and needlessly harms a suspect, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are certain actions that police officers must take if they encounter a suspect who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Request backup
- Calm the situation
- Avoid physical contact
- Determine if the suspect is taking medication
- Acknowledge the suspect’s feelings
- Not make any threats
In far too many situations, police officers make these encounters worse by rushing in or screaming rapid-fire demands. The actions that an officer took prior to any fatal police shooting really matter when assessing liability. If a police officer failed to follow a safety rule promulgated by their department, this could serve as evidence of negligence. This is why it is so important that all evidence related to any police shooting is properly collected and preserved.
Steps to Take After San Diego County Police Shootings
A large portion of police shootings involved people who are suffering from a severe mental health crisis. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, “The risk of being killed while being approached or stopped by law enforcement in the community is 16 times higher for individuals with untreated serious mental illness than for other civilians. By the most conservative estimates, at least 1 in 4 fatal law enforcement encounters involves an individual with serious mental illness.” Certain actions should be taken after any police shooting.
- Footage: All police footage that may have captured the incident should be reviewed. Police officers in California are required to wear body cameras when they interact with the public.
- Medical Records: Medical records related to a person’s injuries should be sought.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the encounter should be interviewed. Eyewitnesses can play a crucial role in establishing what happened in the lead-up to any fatal shooting.
- Constitutional Review: The family of any person who died in an Escondido police shooting should seek an independent review of the incident by a team experienced in constitutional law.
Every person in California has certain inalienable rights that must be respected by police departments. They have a right to due process and equal protection. These rights are violated when a law enforcement agency uses excessive force to injure or kill a suspect. Many of these fatal encounters are the results of poor decisions on the part of officers. Any person injured due to the excessive force of police officers does have recourse through a civil rights claim.
Investigating San Diego County Police Shootings
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to Marcello Castillo Jr. and his family as he continues to recover. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The number of shootings involving San Diego County police officers remains deeply concerning. Any person that may have more information should reach out to investigators.
Have you or someone you care about been injured due to the excessive force of police officers in Escondido? You may have legal recourse. Our team of experienced civil rights attorneys is here to assist you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we’re here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
