PORT ARANSAS, Texas – A spring break weekend in Port Aransas that drew crowds to the beach also brought a series of incidents that left people shaken, including multiple car crashes and a shooting that injured five people.
With one week of spring break still left, local officials said they have plans in place and additional resources on hand to respond to problems and keep visitors safe.
Port Aransas Police Lt. Mike Hannon said the department prepared ahead of time by coordinating extra staffing and outside help. “We have preplanned the resources we have as well as asking the state for resources with the DPS Troopers and with parks and wildlife Game Wardens that’s already been put in place we have an operational plan for that and that’s what we’re gonna follow,” Hannon said.
After the shooting, Hannon said officers relied on that plan to respond. “So the actual event itself, that’s something that happens that we react to we can’t know that’s coming at all. But the operational plan we asked for that many resources so that we have enough law enforcement resources that handle anything that might happen,” he said.
Officials said some of the added enforcement includes temporary stoplights and more traffic violation stops.
Port Aransas Mayor Wendy Moore encouraged spring breakers not to let the weekend’s incidents deter them from visiting. “My message to anyone that wants to travel to Port Aransas for spring break, is please come, we have an amazing destination and so many wonderful opportunities for you to come and have a really safe wonderful vacation so I hope you’re not discouraged by these isolated incidents that happened over the weekend,” Moore said.
Officials said the heavy police presence will continue through the week as they work to keep Port Aransas safe.
RELATED | San Antonio teen has bond set at $500K in Port Aransas Beach shooting that injured five
17-year-old Ernesto Josiah Castillo, from San Antonio, accused in the Port Aransas beach shooting that sent five people to the hospital, made his first court appearance Monday, where his total bond was set at $500,000.
Ernesto Josiah Castillo is facing five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Nueces County court records.
Officers with the Port Aransas Police Department responded just after 11:30 p.m. on Sunday to reports of gunfire near an area known as “Hole 20.”
Police said a preliminary investigation indicates an altercation broke out between two groups on the beach. During the confrontation, police said Castillo pulled a gun and opened fire on a crowd of people on the beach.
The arrest report goes on to say that Castillo and two other males were pulled over by Corpus Christi Police shortly after the shooting. Investigators found shell casings matching a Glock .45 caliber handgun found inside the truck.
RELATED | San Antonio teenager arrested after Port Aransas Beach shooting injures five
All five victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Two are in critical condition, while the others suffered serious injuries.
During Monday’s hearing, Judge Melissa Madrigal set Castillo’s bond at $100,000 on each count. Court records also show an attorney was appointed to represent him.