Court records describe conflicting versions of the moments before Ernie Castillo was shot.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Witness statements are central to a Tucson murder case after police said accounts from the scene differed from the suspect’s explanation of why he shot 19-year-old Ernie Castillo.
Kendall Harris, 30, told police he acted out of fear during a struggle over a shotgun near South Sixth Avenue and West Columbia Street late Monday. Witnesses gave a different account, saying Castillo was on the ground and not fighting when Harris fired, according to the interim complaint.
Police said Harris reported that he had been asleep in his vehicle when a noise woke him. He told investigators he confronted Castillo, who he said had a hammer and a shotgun. Harris said Castillo threatened him and his vehicle, forced him to hand over keys and fired a warning shot into the ground before the two fought over the weapon.
Witnesses told police the fight moved into the street and that Castillo tried to leave. They said Harris followed, grabbed and pushed Castillo, then forced him down. The complaint said Harris stood over Castillo before shooting him in the head with the shotgun. Harris later told police he thought Castillo was reaching for another gun.
Investigators said witnesses did not see Castillo reach for anything while he was on the ground. Police also said they did not find another firearm on Castillo. Those details are expected to matter as prosecutors weigh Harris’ account against physical evidence and statements gathered at the scene.
The case turns on a short span of time after a late-night encounter between two men who, according to police, did not walk away from the confrontation. Detectives have not said who owned the shotgun, whether surveillance video exists or whether additional forensic testing has been completed.
Harris was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and jailed on a $1 million bond. The investigation remains open, and prosecutors will decide how to proceed as police submit reports, interviews and evidence from the shooting scene.
As of Saturday, Harris remained accused but not convicted, and Castillo’s death remained an active Tucson Police Department homicide case.
Author note: Last updated Saturday, July 4, 2026.