By: Staff Writer
March 27, 2026
A senior Bahamian police officer is facing a murder charge in connection with the murder of an American citizen over the weekend.
Superintendent Berneil Pinder, 51, who served as the second-in-command at the Western Police Station, is accused of the March 21 fatal shooting of 31-year-old Cody Castillo.
Pinder, who was off-duty at the time, shot and killed Castillo outside of Da Plantation Bar and Grill in New Providence following an altercation that involved a female friend.
Pinder said that he shot and killed Castillo after fearing for his life as Castillo got into his work vehicle and was headed towards him. But, reports indicate that the security cameras on the scene do not back up Pinder’s assertions of the events that led to the fatal shooting.
It is also noted that Pinder was at a celebration party at Da Plantation with a female friend and several of her family members.
Castillo, of Huntsville, Texas, leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant. In a rare move, US Ambassador Herschel Walker revealed yesterday he has offered the Royal Bahamas Police Force the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
Pinder, dressed in a dark suit instead of his customary superintendent’s khaki uniform, stood silently as the murder charge was read before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was not required to enter a plea. Family members were present in court.
The matter will proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. Pinder was advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He returns to court on July 25 for service of the VBI.
The case has drawn international attention. US Ambassador Herschel Walker in a statement to the press, said yesterday: “I am pleased to see the government of The Bahamas has moved to bring murder charges against the police officer accused of shooting an American citizen this weekend.
“The United States Embassy remains focused on ensuring justice in this case and has offered assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to support the Royal Bahamas Police Force in its investigation.
“My team and I have been in contact with the family of the victim, and our prayers are with them. Our prayers are also with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the family of the suspect.
“The protection and wellbeing of American citizens will always be the highest priority of any Embassy, and we will continue to seek justice in this case, and all cases where our citizens have been the victims of crime.”