The man who was fatally shot at a Wilmington pizza parlor while trying to break up a fight over the weekend was at the eatery celebrating his birthday with his loved ones.
Friends and family of 26-year-old Andres Castellano grieved the loss of the young father in a vigil held outside the Red West Pizza on Monday. Mourners placed candles and balloons outside the restaurant in honor of Castellano.
“He was a great man. He didn’t deserve this at all,” said Michelle Costa, who knew the victim.
The shooting was reported just before 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Red West Pizza after shots were fired following a fight between two women. Castellano was trying to break up the fight when he was struck by the gunfire, along with another man.
Both shooting victims were taken to a nearby hospital, but Castellano died of his injuries. The other man is said to be in stable condition.
“I tried to help him. I tried my best,” Costa said, adding that the escalation in violence happened quickly.
As the victim’s loved one recited prayers at the vigil, they also recalled the things they loved about him.
“Every time he walks in the room, he lights up the room,” Costa said. “He makes everybody smile, laugh, cry sometimes, but out of being funny. He was a good man.”
Castellano is survived by his parents and his 5-year-old daughter.
Police said they arrested a person believed to have been the gunman. Details surrounding the arrest and the name of that individual have not been released.