Arrest made in Saturday’s shooting death near Cincinnati Entertainment District

March 24, 2014 Update: El Paso Police have arrested 36-year old Luis Castruita, of the 600 block of Prospect, and charged him with murder in connection with the early Saturday morning shooting death of 22-year-old Efren Gonzalez.

Investigators found Castruita late Sunday night and booked into the El Paso County Jail early Monday with his bond set at $1 million.

Police are not releasing Castruita’s booking photo at this time as the investigation continues.

According to the police affidavit, Gonzalez and two friends were walking across N. Mesa at the 2500 block just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday when Castruita, driving a silver Dodge Caravan, had to stop.

The affidavit states that words were exchanged between all four people and that Gonzalez and his friends finished crossing the street. Castruita then allegedly turned into the Miner Plaza complex and confronted Gonzalez and his two friends, words were exchanged again, before Castruita allegedly took a semi-automatic handgun and fired one time through the open passenger window and hit Gonzalez in the chest.

Castruita was arrested at his home for a probation violation warrant and three traffic warrants. During the police interview, Castruita said he drove his van to the shooting scene and an unknown passenger shot the victim.

“However, all witnesses stated that the defendant (Castruita) was the sole occupant,” according to the affidavit.

After a search warrant was obtained, police found a Tauras PT7 .40 caliber gun in Castruita’s bedroom which police say is consistent with the slug found at the scene. Police also say the color of the gun matches description given by witnesses.

Previous March 23, 2014 Story: Police still have not made any arrests related to the shooting death of a man in west El Paso early Saturday morning.

Efren Gonzalez, 22, was walking after he had been to the Black Market bar near the Cincinnati district at around 2:30, police said.

They said he got into an argument with someone who was in a car. Then the person in the car shot-and-killed.