“Top Cat” arraigned for shooting at cop, possession of illegal gun & ammo

Twenty-seven-year-old Wayne Castello, also called “Top Cat”, was on Thursday remanded to prison after he was arraigned for illegal possession of a firearm and matching ammunition.

He was also arraigned for discharging a loaded firearm at a Police Officer.
Castello, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the charges when they were read to him.
The Police stated that on August 27, 2020, at East Ruimveldt, Castello had in his possession one .9mm pistol along with six matching rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
Further, the Police stated that on the same date and location, he discharged the loaded firearm at Police Officer Kester Cosbert with intent to maim, disfigure, or cause actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on the day in question, Officer Cosbert and other ranks on were on patrol in the East La Penitence area when they saw Castello, who was wanted for questioning into the murder of Navindra Samaroo. Samaroo was fatally shot during a robbery on July 23 at Middle Road, La Penitence.
The ranks exited the patrol vehicle and Castello, upon seeing them, discharged several rounds in their direction.
In retaliation, Cosbert returned fire, with one of the bullets hitting Castello in his left leg below his knee. He reportedly fell to the ground and was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted under guard. He was subsequently released and charged.
Meanwhile, with respect to the murder charge, legal advice is being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Castello will make his next court appearance on September 23, 2020 before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.