Man arrested in Vallejo murder case: PD

(KRON) — A 42-year-old man from San Jose has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of a woman who was shot and killed in Vallejo on July 5.

A woman suffering from at least one gunshot wound was found unconscious on the 400 block of Admiral Callaghan Lane in Vallejo around 1:36 a.m. She was taken to the hospital where she later died of her injuries.

The Vallejo Police Department announced on July 18 that it had arrested the “primary suspect” in the case. The suspected killer, Jose Guadalupe Castillo, now faces multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and committing a felony while out on bail.

“A records check revealed that Castillo was currently out on bail for a previous arrest made by the Vallejo Police Department on May 3, 2025, for willfully discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and for being a felon in possession of a firearm,” the Vallejo Police Department said.

Castillo was initially arrested on July 16 following a brief foot chase near Admiral Callaghan Lane, according to VPD.

“When the officers attempted to contact Castillo, he tried to evade them and quickly walked into a convenience store,” VPD said. “The officers entered the store and arrested Castillo without incident.”

During his arrest, officers allegedly found a gun with an extended magazine in the aisle where he had been standing. Castillo was initially booked into the Solano County Jail for a felon in possession of a firearm. However, two days later, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence submitted by VPD detectives and subsequently charged him with second-degree murder.

Based on the time, location and circumstances of the victim’s death, the arrest is seemingly related to the homicide of 45-year-old Vallejo resident Courtney Whitney. KRON4 contacted VPD and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office in an attempt to confirm the connection between Whitney’s death and Castillo’s arrest. However, as of 5 p.m. Friday, the agencies have not responded.