2018 Redmond, Washington Officer Involved Shooting Inquest Findings Released

On December 13, 2023, the Redmond Police Department released findings related to a 2018 officer-involved shooting that led to the death of Marcello Castellano. The incident occurred during an attempted arrest when Castellano, sitting in his vehicle, refused to exit and instead pointed a gun at officers. An outside agency conducted a thorough investigation, concluding that the officers acted reasonably under the circumstances as Castellano posed an imminent threat. Contrarily, a recent inquest jury found that the involved officers did not adhere to department use of force protocols, leading to significant debate about the inquest's limitations. Chief Darrell Lowe criticized the inquest process, emphasizing that it prevented jurors from accessing critical evidence that could have clarified the incident.

This discrepancy raises important questions about police practices and community safety. The findings, consistent with a previous report from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, affirm the officers’ compliance with established policies. The incident continues to be a focal point for discussions on law enforcement accountability in Redmond.