June 12, 2012 - A suspect wanted in connection with the fatal beating of one man and assaults on three other persons at 5216 Van Fleet about 12:30 a.m. last Friday (June 8) has been arrested.

The suspect, Johnathan Renard Castaneda (b/m, DOB: 9-4-86), was taken into custody on Monday (June 11) by members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. Castaneda is charged with murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 263rd State District Court. A photo of Castaneda is attached to this news release.


The deceased victim is identified as Baron Keith Armstrong, 45, of the above address. Three other victims, two women and one man in their 40s and 50s, were also assaulted. One of the women was sexually assaulted. All three were transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants C. Elliott, J. Wilson, J. Burton, Senior Police Officer C. Abbey and Officer M. Stahlin reported:

Patrol officers responded to an assault in-progress call at the above address and found three victims severly beaten and Mr. Armstrong deceased. All four were assaulted by one suspect, whom they were socializing with when the incident began. Armstrong was looking for his keys and began to ask the others on the whereabouts of the keys. An argument started and the suspect attacked Armstrong and beat him unconscious. The suspect then turned his anger on the other victims, beat them unconscious and then further assaulted Armstrong with household objects.

The suspect fled just before officers arrived. The female victims positively identified Castaneda as their attacker.

Further investigation developed information on Castaneda's whereabouts and he was taken into custody without incident. He has admitted to investigators his involvement in the incident.

Update: VHS/JFC 6-12-12
JFC/JKS 6-8-12