Man Charged With Murder Appears In Court

A man charged with murder made a court appearance today in Alexander County Court.

22-year -old Antonio Castillo of Stony Point appeared before a judge and was denied bond. Castillo was arrested Sunday and charged with the murder of Blade McKinley Campbell, 23, of Taylorsville. Campbell was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at a residence off Middle Road in Stony Point. Castillo fled the scene but was later captured. Castillio was armed with an AR-15 rifle but that is not believed to be the weapon used in the fatal shooting.

Bowman said today that Castillo went to his former girlfriend’s home, Campbell was present. The two men became engaged in an argument and exchanged blows. Campbell, according to Sheriff Bowman was not armed but Castillo used a handgun to fire multiple shots at close range. Castillo was denied a gun permit less than a year ago. The female at the scene called Alexander County 911. An infant was also present and according to Bowman, Castillo is the father of the child.

When Castillo appeared in court, he had a black eye. It’s thought he sustained that injury in his fight with Campbell.