A Bahamian police official has been charged with murder following his involvement in the fatal shooting of a Florida man, which he claimed was an act of self-defense.
Berneil Pinder has been charged with the murder of Cody Castillo, an employee of Pike Electric. Castillo was working on a major infrastructure project for Bahamas Power and Light at the time of his death.
Pinder, 51, appeared in court on Wednesday, March 25, before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans and he was formally charged, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Media outlets in the Bahamas reported that Pinder, who serves as superintendent for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, was denied bail. He was also reportedly ordered to return to court on July 23 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
Pinder appeared in court just four days after Castillo was fatally shot outside of popular beach spot Da Plantation Bar and Grill.
The RBPF initially said in a news release that the altercation started inside the bar and grill, though the men eventually went outside. Police said that Castillo drove his truck toward Pinder “in a threatening manner,” and Pinder fired a single shot as he feared “for his life.” The single shot eventually led to Castillo’s death.
However, officials later obtained video footage of the incident that seemingly contradicted Pinder and the RBPF’s account of the incident.
Before Pinder was arrested, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a statement expressing the “deepest concern” about media reports that stated Pinder followed an unarmed Castillo to his vehicle before he fatally shot him.
“We urge the Government of The Bahamas to ensure the victim receives justice in this case without delay,” an embassy spokesperson said in the statement.
It is not currently clear if Castillo has entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.
Following Castillo’s death, a loved one set up a GoFundMe page to help his wife, Makayla. The page explained that the couple was expecting their first child together in August.
“Makayla is now facing the unimaginable: grieving her husband while preparing to bring their son into the world alone,” the post read. “She’s overwhelmed by the sudden loss, the weight of funeral expenses and the uncertainty of how she’ll manage living costs and care for her baby without Cody by her side. The pain and fear are real, and she needs help from anyone who can offer it.”
Bahamas Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said that authorities are taking the investigation seriously.
“I have asked for a full and transparent investigation, and where the evidence supports criminal charges, the law must move swiftly,” Davis said on Tuesday, March 24, per the Tallahassee Democrat. “The badge can never place anyone above the law.”
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