Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 30-year-old Jose A. Castillo of Buffalo was sentenced this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a determinate sentence of 8 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. He was sentenced today as a second violent felony offender.

On Thursday, July 8, 2021, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant fired multiple shots from an illegal handgun at two male victims who were walking on eastbound on Allen Street near Irving Place in the City of Buffalo. After the shooting, the defendant rode away from the scene on a bicycle.

Both victims were transported by ambulance to ECMC. One victim suffered multiple serious physical injuries. The other victim was also treated for his injuries at ECMC and released.   

On July 15, 2021, investigators found the defendant in possession of an illegal gun when he was arrested at an apartment on Schiller Street in the City of Buffalo.

Castillo pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies) and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felony) on July 6, 2022.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence and Intelligence Units as well as the U.S. Marshals Service for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Major Crimes Unit.