Alleged killer's mother involved in prior relationship with victim
Sep. 11—WILKES-BARRE — The victim of Monday's deadly daylight shooting on a downtown street was previously involved in a relationship with the alleged gunman's mother.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce during a news conference Tuesday said there was a "longstanding feud" between the victim, Lonnie Davis, 35, and Branden M. Delcastillo, 28.
A narrative of the feud is listed in a criminal complaint charging Delcastillo with criminal homicide, firearms not to be carried without a license, possessing instruments of crime, terroristic threats and tampering with evidence for the shooting at East Northampton Street and Livingston Lane at about 3:40 p.m. Monday.
Surveillance cameras captured audio of an argument involving several people followed by four rapid shots before a black Nissan Rogue with a "Bella's Piercings" decal on the rear window was recorded fleeing the scene on Livingston Lane.
After sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, Davis crossed East Northampton Street and collapsed on the sidewalk where good Samaritans rendered aid prior to the arrival of police and emergency medical technicians. Davis died in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township.
An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Charles Seibert revealed Davis died from multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death a homicide.
Court records say Davis previously was involved in a relationship with Delcastillo's mother, Barbara Montoya-Delcastillo, 47.
"This relationship created animosity between Davis and Montoya, as well as Davis and Delcastillo," court records say.
Delcastillo allegedly made prior threats toward Davis.
A witness told police he was talking to Davis on a phone call when they heard Davis say the name, "Branden," and a male's voice yell, "I'm going to (expletive) kill you," as Davis replied, "Then do it," court records say.
The witness said he then heard other people saying "put pressure on the wound."
Court records say after the shooting, Delcastillo got into the Nissan Rogue that sped away, driven by his mother.
During an interview with detectives, court records say Montoya-Delcastillo claimed she dropped her son off near his residence at 352 E. Northampton St.
Kingston police later located the Nissan parked on Wright Street, Kingston, and detained Delcastillo.
Delcastillo agreed to be interviewed by detectives after being read his Miranda rights.
Court records say Delcastillo initially claimed Davis threatened him with a knife but detectives pointed out witnesses never reported seeing Davis with a knife.
Delcastillo was at the scene attempting to sell a pair of sneakers at a store when he allegedly confronted Davis.
"You want me to say I shot him. Is that what you all want to hear," Delcastillo said to detectives during the interview, court records say.
Delcastillo claimed, court records say, he disassembled the firearm he tossed into the Susquehanna River but then said he scattered the gun parts between Kingston and Edwardsville.
Sanguedolce said the firearm was a .45-caliber handgun.
No charges have been filed against Montoya-Delcastillo.
Delcastillo was arraigned Wednesday on the criminal homicide case by District Judge Thomas Malloy of Wilkes-Barre and jailed without bail at the county correctional facility.
