After a two-decade long investigation, authorities have finally made an arrest in the case of a 2005 fatal shooting in Houston. Luis Uriel Castillo, 39, faces a charge of capital murder for an incident that led to the death of Cornelius Ray, who was 25 at the time of his passing. According to the City of Houston's news release, Castillo was arrested following his extradition from Mexico on September 24.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Rodriguez and Detective D. Shorten detailed how officers had discovered Ray's body upon responding to concerns from friends who could not reach him. Ray was found in his apartment at 8501 Broadway Street, having suffered a gunshot wound. It was January 10, 2005, around 6 PM when this tragedy unfolded, but it would take years to finally start to definitively close the case. Castillo was originally charged back in January 2005, but he managed to quickly flee to Mexico, evading justice until the FBI located him in 2021, as reported by the City of Houston.
The pursuit of justice for the victim took a major step forward when Castillo was brought back to the United States, thanks to the efforts of the FBI and HPD Homicide Division's Cold Case Unit. On arrival in Houston, HPD detectives took him into custody. His booking photo was released accompanying the City of Houston.
Their hard work paid off when he was officially booked into the Harris County Jail after being questioned. Police found his body after the apartment manager requested a welfare check and let them into his apartment. Castillo's charges are now being processed in the 263rd Criminal District Court, as per the City of Houston.
