Hilo man indicted on murder, firearm charges in 2025 killing

Prosecutors announced that a 25-year-old man from Hilo has been indicted for his alleged involvement in the deadly shooting of a 36-year-old man.

Gilberto D. Escobar was indicted by a Hilo grand jury in connection with the Feb. 19, 2025, death of Brandon Castillias, according to the Office of the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney.

Police reported that officers responded to the scene shortly after 5 a.m. that day to a report of a gunshot on Maunakai Street in Hilo. South Hilo patrol officers found Castillias lying face down outside a residence.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Castillias died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, prosecutors said.

Escobar appeared Friday afternoon in Hilo Circuit Court for his return on the indictment warrant and arraignment. The court maintained his bail at $3 million and scheduled a hearing for Aug. 12 to assign defense counsel.

Escobar faces four charges, according to the indictment: second-degree murder; carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony; prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm; and prohibited ownership or possession of ammunition.

Second-degree murder is punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The firearm charge is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The case was initially handled by South Hilo Patrol, while Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section led the felony investigation. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kirsten Selvig is prosecuting the case.

The charges are allegations, and Escobar is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.