GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — No charges are going to be filed against a Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputy involved in a shooting in Grand Junction earlier this summer.
MCSO deputies responded to the 2900 block of Sandra Avenue on June 28. Deputies encountered the suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Roberto Castillo.
An investigation by the 21st Judicial Critical Incident Response Team determined Castillo became involved in two arson situations and a lengthy stand-off with deputies, refusing to cooperate with officers and claiming he had a gun. According to the report, Castillo said he would not comply with the officers and they would have to shoot him.
Castillo eventually charged out of his camper and at the deputies while holding a pointed metal rod and a pair of pliers. Deputy Means attempted to take down Castillo with a 40 mm less lethal sponge round but was unsuccessful. Deputy Everett Blanck then shot Castillo with his patrol rifle.
Deputies provided medical aid to Castillo until ambulances took him to the hospital. He has since been released and transferred to the Mesa County Detention Facility.
Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein decided not to file charges against Deputy Blanck, but instead is filing charges against Castillo.