Hundreds Mourn Youth Killed by Deputies

Hundreds gathered late Thursday to mourn and say goodbye to 16-year-old Julio Castillo, who died during a shootout with sheriff’s deputies.

Family, friends and community members attended a prayer service for Julio, held at Douglas Family Mortuary in Lynwood. A Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today at St. Emideus Church. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello.

Last Sunday, Julio had a heated argument with his mother, Gloria Santos, in her Lynwood apartment and left there armed with a shotgun, Santos said.

Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Killeen said that when deputies arrived at 1:55 a.m. in the 3700 block of Fernwood Avenue, Julio wounded two deputies with the shotgun. Deputies responded and a gunfight ensued.

Both deputies were treated and released, but Julio died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Deputy Angie Prewett said Julio showed no signs of wanting to surrender during a standoff as he remained under an embankment behind thick bushes. But witnesses said that the youth was shot by deputies after he had already been wounded and was trying to surrender.

The case is being investigated by sheriff’s homicide and internal affairs officers.