OWENSBORO, KY — A fatal shooting occurred early Sunday morning, September 15, 2024, during a party at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Owensboro, Kentucky. The incident, which unfolded after a large fight broke out, resulted in the death of 21-year-old Nelson Castillo, a local resident of Utica, KY, though initially carrying a Tennessee ID.

According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), a dispute involving several attendees escalated and spilled into the parking lot. Security guards on duty attempted to intervene and restore order when they encountered Castillo, who was armed with a handgun. A brief confrontation ensued between Castillo and the security guards, during which one of the guards discharged his firearm, fatally striking Castillo.

Authorities were quickly notified, and the security guards remained on the scene, cooperating with detectives. Both the guard’s firearm and Castillo’s weapon were collected by investigators. A background check revealed that neither gun was reported stolen.

As part of the investigation, detectives interviewed several witnesses, and cell phone footage of the incident has been obtained for forensic analysis. An autopsy was conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s office in Jefferson County, which confirmed the cause of death as homicide. DCSO continues to investigate the details, including using interpreters to overcome language barriers during witness interviews.

This tragic incident highlights the complexities of security personnel and civilians handling potentially dangerous situations. If you are ever confronted by an armed individual, it’s crucial to assess the immediate threat and respond in a way that prioritizes your safety and the safety of others. Security professionals are trained to de-escalate, but when a firearm is involved, deadly force may become necessary to neutralize an imminent threat. Always seek to avoid confrontation, and if deadly force is used, it must be in response to an immediate and unavoidable threat to life.