More than three decades after the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Robert Castillo in Manhattan, fresh questions from friends and family have prompted a reevaluation of the case. Castillo, an unarmed Black teenager, was shot twice in the chest on a December night in 1990 by Chris Meskouris, the owner of Jackson Hole Restaurant. Now, amid lingering doubts about the initial investigation’s thoroughness, efforts are underway to push authorities to reopen the case.
According to Meskouris’s original account, Castillo was able to get up and flee under his own power despite his injuries. However, the teenager’s body was later discovered dumped in an industrial section of Long Island City, Queens—several miles away from the shooting scene. This discrepancy has long raised suspicions among Castillo’s loved ones, who question how a gravely wounded child could have made it so far on his own.
“We never believed the story made sense,” said one of Castillo’s relatives, who has been vocal about seeking justice. “A 15-year-old shot twice in the chest doesn’t just run off and end up miles away, alone. There are too many unanswered questions.”
Speculation has swirled for years that Meskouris may have been responsible for transporting the body to Long Island City, though he has never been formally charged in connection with Castillo’s death beyond the initial shooting. Advocates for Castillo’s family argue that critical details were overlooked or insufficiently examined in the original police investigation, leading to renewed calls for accountability.
- Jackson Hole Restaurant
- Robert Castillo's body found across the East River in Long Island City
- Chris Meskouris' home at the time of the shooting
In recent weeks, inquiries have been made to the NYPD’s Cold Case Division regarding the possibility of reopening the case. As of now, the division has not yet responded to requests for comment.
With advancements in forensic science and investigative techniques, Castillo’s supporters hope that revisiting the case could yield new insights or evidence. “There’s no statute of limitations on the truth,” said an advocate working with the family. “If there was a miscarriage of justice, it needs to be corrected—no matter how much time has passed.”
As pressure mounts on authorities to take a fresh look at the case, Castillo’s family and friends remain steadfast in their demand for answers. For them, reopening the case isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s about ensuring justice is finally served.
MORE ABOUT CHRIS MESKOURIS:
Recent Photo:
Mekouris still owns the Jackson Hole Restaurant in Manhattan where the shooting of Castillo took place.
Meskouris still lives in the same neighborhood he did 30 years ago on Browvale Lane in Flushing, NY.
Meskouris has two grown daughters:
Dr. Vasilia Meskouris, AuD (audiologist)
Maria Anna Meskouris
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