Fifteen-year-old Jesus Castillo was shot and killed in Hammond, Indiana, during the evening of March 11, 2021. A Morton High School student described as a loving son and brother, Jesus was involved that night in what authorities called a drug deal that reportedly involved marijuana and THC cartridges. Police were called around 8 p.m. and later found his body inside a red Ford Explorer, about five blocks from where the confrontation began. An autopsy reported he had been shot a dozen times.

Eighteen-year-old Christopher Wells was identified as the suspect, arrested in Cook County and returned to Lake County to face charges. Wells maintained he acted in self-defense, saying Jesus tried to rob him, but the number of gunshot wounds was noted as a troubling detail. In January 2025 Wells pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, admitting the killing occurred in sudden heat, and faces a 25-year prison term; sentencing was set for February 5, 2025.

If anyone knew Jesus, witnessed the events that night, or has information about the meeting that led to the shooting, please share what is known.