Agent: Cubs’ Castro not involved in shooting
Starlin Castro has been questioned about separate shootings in the Dominican. (USATSI)
Cubs All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro had nothing to do with a shooting in the Dominican Republic that reportedly left six people injured, and Castro was neither arrested nor detained, Castro’s longtime agent Paul Kinzer said.
“He wasn’t arrested. That’s just the [Dominican] media trying to get headlines,” Kinzer told CBSSports.com by phone. “He answered questions, he wasn’t involved and they know it.”
Early reports suggested Castro was “arrested” but later amended to say “detained” — though Kinzer maintained that neither characterization is correct. An ESPN report quoted a police spokesman saying Castro may have been “very close” to a suspected shooter, but Castro reportedly said in a press conference there that he knew nothing about the shootings.
Kinzer said Castro just happened to be present when the shooting occurred, but went out the back door, then went to the police to answer questions though he knew nothing about it. The ESPN report said one of the six people shot, Jeremias Martinez, was “gravely ill” and taken to nearby Jose Maria Cabral hospital in Santo Domingo.
Castro was cleared in a different shooting incident earlier this month after also being asked questions. Kinzer suggested Castro’s status as a wealthy celebrity makes him a target in his homeland, and that he needs to leave there. The agent said Cubs people are advising the same, though the team hasn’t yet commented.
“He’s got to move. He’s got to get out of there,” Kinzer said. “It’s a shame. That’s his home. But he’s got to get out.”
Kinzer said there have been continuous baseless attempts to extract money from Castro, who signed a $60 million-plus, six-year deal in the summer of 2012.
“He’s been sued for everything,” Kinzer said of the three-time All-Star. “They’re thinking if they can tie Starlin Castro to it, he’s got to give them money.”
Castro was cleared the last time he was present for a shooting, and according to Kinzer, Castro knows nothing about either shooting.
“He had nothing to do with the last one [either],” Kinzer said. “He saw a shooting and ran away. He told them, ‘I don’t know what happened.’ They told him, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ “
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