December 17, 2010 - Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of three suspected robbers and the wounding of a storeowner at 4502 Canal Street about 2 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 16).

The three male suspects suffered fatal gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.  Two of the suspects are identified as Nelson Wilfredo Tambora-Ramiro (H/m, DOB: 10-19-89) and Onilton Bolanos Castillano (H/m, DOB: 11-26-72).  The identity of the third suspect is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The store owner, Ramon Castillo, 52, of Houston, suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach, shoulder and legs, and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.  Mr.Castillo’s wife, Eva Castillo, 48, was not harmed in this incident.    

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Harris and Senior Police Officer M. Waters reported:

Two Hispanic males, posing as customers, entered the Castillo Jewelry store.  While storeowners Ramon and Eva Castillo were assisting them, a third man entered the store, pulled out a pistol, and announced it was a robbery.  One of the original customers also produced a pistol and the Castillos were forced into the office area of the store.  As Mrs. Castillo was tied up, Mr. Castillo was ordered to put his hands behind his back.  Mr. Castillo used this opportunity to reach into his back waistband and produce a pistol which he used to shoot one of the suspects.  The other two suspects began shooting at Mr. Castillo, who returned fire.  Mr. Castillo then retrieved a shotgun he kept in the store and shot and killed the two remaining suspects.  Mr. Castillo suffered critical injuries during the shooting and was transported to the hospital.

A possible fourth suspect, the getaway driver, remains at large.  He was last seen in a taupe or gold colored early 1990s, square body, four-door sedan, possibly a Nissan or Toyota. 

Anyone with information on this case or the whereabouts of the fourth suspect is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.



KJS/JFC   12-17-10
Inc. #175165610