The Sandy Springs Police Department on Aug. 31 announced the arrest of 17-year-old Christopher Castillo, charged with murder in the Aug. 28 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Williams Lopez Rodriguez.
During the investigation, detectives said they identified Castillo as the suspect, determining that he fled the scene before officers’ arrival. There are limited details about the suspect and the victim, who were roommates.
Sandy Springs officers said they initially responded to The Celebration at Sandy Springs Apartments at 7000 Roswell Road just before 6:30 p.m., after family members called police to conduct a welfare check and found Rodriguez deceased.
When officers entered the victim’s residence, the man was found with an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to the department’s Aug. 31 press release.
Limited details on fatal shooting
Cobb County police officers arrested Castillo on Aug. 29 during a traffic stop at Barrett Parkway and Mall Boulevard near the Interstate 75 and 575 interchange.
According to Fulton County Jail records, Castillo also received an immigration detainer, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold, asking the sheriff’s department to keep him 48 hours past his release time.
Castillo, a 17-year-old living in Sandy Springs, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
In its Aug. 31 announcement, the Sandy Springs Police Department said the case remains an active investigation and “additional information will be released as it becomes available.” The Fulton County law enforcement agency also thanked its colleagues in Cobb County for locating and apprehending Castillo.
“The exact motive for the shooting is still under investigation,” Sandy Springs Police Sgt. Giovanni Gomez said. “At this point, I’m not aware of the suspect’s immigration status.”
