Murder in Huntington: Killer's Flight to Mexico halted by US Marshals

By Mark Demetropoulos

A Honduran man who stalked, shot and murdered a Huntington man behind the One Stop Deli in Huntington last month was arrested by US Marshals in Alabama, after he tried to flee to Mexico.

The shooter – 27 year old Carlos Castro – shot 43 year old Steven Rocco behind the One Stop Deli in Huntington located at 150 West Pulaski Road.

According to police, a surveillance camera behind the One Stop Deli captured the event involving Castro and Rocco.

The two men became engaged in a heated argument outside the deli, until a bystander intervened and broke it up.

Castro then disappeared briefly, then reappeared with a gun and shot Rocco with a single gunshot. He then fled the scene.

When police arrived at the scene, Rocco was still alive but in critical condition, but upon arriving at Huntington Hospital, Rocco was declared dead on arrival.

According to Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, Castro then attempted to flee to the Mexican border.

Castro changed his phone number, obtained $3,000 from friends and family and employed a driver to drive him to Texas, to the Mexican Border.

The Suffolk DA notified the US Marshals, and two days later, the Marshals tracked down Castro in Alabama and arrested him.

Castro was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. 

The Suffolk DA identified Castro as native of Honduras, and his age of 27 years.

The DA did not state whether gang membership was a motive to the murder, or any other motive to the killing, other than the video-recorded argument with the victim.

Castro is being held without bail, and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer to deport Castro following this prosecution.