On the morning of March 16, 2024, a juvenile woman identified as A.O. was driving a red Saturn in South Beloit with her boyfriend, Ray Castro, in the passenger seat wearing a hoodie and mask. They were spotted by Detective Paul Reed, who recognized A.O. and believed Ray, who he thought had active warrants, was in the car. Reed called for backup, broadcast that Ray was likely in the vehicle, and initiated a traffic stop.
After approaching the car, Reed asked both occupants for identification. A.O. provided her license, while Ray claimed his name was Jose Sanchez and gave a birthdate but had no ID. As additional officers arrived, including Sergeant Newell and Officer Ramirez, they returned to the vehicle and ordered Ray to exit. He complied, and officers removed his hood and mask, confirming his identity as Ray Castro before attempting to handcuff him.
Ray allegedly resisted, struggling with officers and trying to get back into the Saturn. Reed held onto him as he got back inside and told A.O. to drive. A.O. accelerated briefly, knocking back the other officers while Reed remained inside the moving car with Ray on top of him. Reed managed to turn the car off, but Ray restarted it and had A.O. drive again.
While the vehicle was in motion and Ray was still on top of him, Reed drew his firearm and shot A.O. once in the right leg. The car then crossed a median and crashed into a ditch. Reed tried to hold on to Ray but failed. Ramirez caught up and attempted to subdue him, but Ray fled. Both officers deployed tasers unsuccessfully, and Reed became tangled in the wires, stopping his pursuit while Ramirez stayed to assist A.O.
Ray later allegedly stole another vehicle, prompting a high speed pursuit involving Roscoe police through Beloit. The chase ended when Officer Ryan Sarver performed a PIT maneuver, causing Ray to lose control of the SUV. Sarver struck the vehicle again as it swerved, and Ray ultimately crashed into another squad car driven by Sergeant Robert Lewis. Lewis then fired his full clip through his window and the SUV’s windshield, killing Ray Castro.
This incident became the 37th case investigated and deemed justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force.