National

Off-Duty Officer Under Criminal Investigation

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The family of the American man, who was killed by an off-duty officer over the weekend, may soon get the answers they’re looking for.

Published

21 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The family of the American man, who was killed by an off-duty officer over the weekend, may soon get the answers they’re looking for.

A criminal investigation has now been launched into a deadly police-involved shooting that claimed the life of an American pike worker over the weekend.

Wayne Munroe – Minister, National Security

“ I’m made to understand a criminal investigation was open. I’ve not been briefed on him going to court. You must remember now that the D.P.P. advises the police on charging.
So the only thing I’m guaranteed to know is that a criminal investigation has been opened. “

National Security Minister, Wayne Munroe confirmed that the off-duty officer involved in the killing of American, Cody Castillo is now at the center of a criminal investigation.

The Crawfordville, Florida native, was killed Saturday evening outside a West Bay Street restaurant.

He leaves behind his wife, Makayla, wWho is pregnant with their first child.

Police said that the incident unfolded when an altercation involving an off-duty officer escalated.

According to the official police report, the off-duty officer was at the business when an altercation began inside and continued outside.

Police allege that Castillo entered his vehicle and “Drove it in a threatening manner toward the officer”.

Munroe said, investigators will now determine whether criminal charges should be filed…

Wayne Munroe – Minister, National Security

Here you have time limits within which you can keep someone in custody, classically, 48 hours. My understanding is that the police responded to the scene, acquired, cctv footage as they always do, and commenced an investigation, and they will follow the investigation to its natural conclusion. If there’s evidence that criminal charges should be levied, they will do it.
If at the conclusion they determined that they, they are comfortable in, in levying criminal charges, it goes to a coroner’s inquest. “

Wayne Munroe – Minister, National Security

“ You remember the young man who was killed in Exuma by the officer who was put before the court for that, and he was an American citizen, and the U.S. embassy had nothing at all to say about it. We’ve seen any number of police officers, correctional officers, RBDF officers bought before the court. By the Royal Bahamas Police Force investigations. In fact, a lot of the complaints, or a lot of the conversation is about the number of law enforcement officers being charged before the court.
Well, surely that is proof that law enforcement is just that they enforce the law regardless of who you are. “