Arrests made in New Year’s Eve homicide
By Dan Thesman on Friday, May 19th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
RICHLAND, Washington – Authorities have arrested two adults in Oklahoma for their alleged connection to a homicide that occurred New Year’s Eve at the Columbia Park Apartments, located on the 1700 block of Jadwin Avenue. The Richland Police Department said the victim, Michael Castoreno Jr., 21, was found deceased with multiple apparent gunshot wounds.
On May 5, two suspects were arrested in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Felipe Manjares Jr., 19, of Sunnyside was arrested for first-degree murder. Rosalina Guzman, the mother of Felipe Manjares, was arrested for first-degree rendering criminal assistance for her actions following the homicide. They will be transported back to Benton County by the U.S. Marshals Service.
On May 18, a 16-year-old boy, the brother of Felipe Manjares and the son of Rosalina Guzman, was arrested by the Sunnyside Police Department for unlawful possession of a firearm with additional charges expected as well.
The Richland Police Department said in addition to the three arrests made in Oklahoma and Sunnyside, a 17-year-old boy from Kennewick, who was already in custody in Washington for an unrelated robbery, has also been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Michael Castoreno. RPD said the 16-year-old boy will likely be tried as an adult.
