25-year-old Gilberto D. Escobar of Hilo was indicted by a Hilo grand jury in connection with a February 19, 2025 homicide.
According to police, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a gunshot on Maunakai Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased male, later determined to be 36-year-old Brandon Castillias, lying face down fronting a residence.
Castillias’ cause of death was a single gunshot wound to his abdomen.
Last week, Escobar appeared in Hilo Circuit Court for return on the Indictment warrant and arraignment, where the Circuit Court maintained his bail at $3,000,000 and scheduled a hearing to assign defense counsel on August 12.
As the Indictment alleges, Escobar is charged with four offenses, Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person), Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, and Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited. Murder in the Second Degree carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony is a class A felony and carries a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. .
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kirsten Selvig.
HPD Photo
