Police seek answers in elite athlete's murder

ATLANTA - Investigators are hoping new information can help bring forth leads in the shooting death of a driver along Interstate 20, as loved ones gather to remember a friend and elite athlete Rodrigo Castillo and call for justice in his murder.

Police said Castillo, 33, succumbed to his injuries after suffering a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the hospital.

Hours before, investigators now believe the victim went on a date with a woman he met on the Bumble or Coffee Meets Bagel app. They describe her as possibly Columbian and a graduate student at Emory, Georgia State or another local university. They are hoping to speak with her for more information about what could have happened that night.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Friday morning, Atlanta Police got a 911 call about shots fired near the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive exit. Arriving officers found the 33-year-old victim alone in his car. They told FOX 5 he had been shot in the head.

Investigators think the gunman fired multiple shots from another car, but don't have a vehicle description. Detectives didn't locate a gun in the victim's car. So at least for now, this doesn't appear to be a shootout.

Police say they found a number of shell casings at the scene, but haven't been able to identify any surveillance video that will help with the investigation.

Police hope the woman or anyone who knows her or what happened that night will come forward to help solve Castillo's murder.

Loved ones gathered at his Mableton-area gym called Caffeinated Crossfit to remember the man known as a motivating and inspiring athlete, dependable friend and "gentle spirit."

"He doesn't have an evil bone in his body. This is not supposed to happen to people like him," said friend Richard McAlister, with whom he would compete in fitness competitions.

"We're all looking for those answers and that justice because I don't understand how this could have happened," said Jessica Dahn, who told FOX 5 he stood by her through her physical training and recovery from cancer. "He was probably one of the biggest cheerleaders and biggest coaches in my life."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Atlanta Police or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous and receive a reward up to $2,000.