By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Jose Avila Jr.

David Castillejo Jr.

WARSAW — More details have been released on a Monday evening shooting in Warsaw.

Jose Avila Jr., 21, 221 N. Columbia St. Apartment E., Warsaw, is charged with attempted battery with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; and criminal organization activity, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and pointing a firearm, all level 6 felonies.

David Castillejo Jr., 22, 422 W. Porter St., Warsaw, is charged with attempted battery with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm, both level 6 felonies; and unlawful carrying of a handgun, a class A misdemeanor.

At 7:16 p.m. Monday, July 31, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Columbia and Porter Streets. The officer was informed Avila and Castillejo were the two individuals involved in the incident.

According to court documents, upon arrival at the scene, the officer saw Castillejo, who said Avila shot at him so he shot back. Castillejo said a woman asked him for help with two men, one of whom was Avila. Multiple people, including Castillejo, went to confront Avila and the man, who were both using their hands to throw up gang signs.

One of the people at the scene yelled that Avila had a gun. Upon hearing this, Castillejo said he heard two gunshots and that a third gunshot hit his vehicle. Castillejo then stopped his vehicle, grabbed his handgun and fired four or five shots at Avila and the man. The officer noticed a large dent on Castillejo’s vehicle from a bullet that ricocheted.

Multiple officers from Warsaw and Winona Lake Police Departments responded to the scene to assist, collecting physical evidence and taking Avila into custody. Avila declined to speak with officers and said he never had a gun.

A Warsaw Police detective interviewed the man Avila was with during the incident. The man said Avila pulled out a gun when Castillejo drove by in a vehicle. When Avila fired multiple shots at the vehicle, the man said he ran across a nearby street to get away from Avila and hide.

Castillejo and five witnesses all said Avila used his hands to throw up gang signs, yelled at them and was the shooter.

Avila has prior convictions for battery and theft from March 2021. A probation violation was filed in that case on June 7, 2022.

Avila and Castillejo have already been arrested.