A Staten Island artist known for using human blood in his paintings was arrested Sunday after police responding to a drug overdose call at his home discovered a concealed illegal firearm, the New York Post reported.
Vincent Castiglia, 42, a tattoo and blood artist with a significant online following, was found unconscious in his Wood Avenue home. According to While emergency personnel were working on the man, officers noticed a .380-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in his bedroom and obtained a search warrant for the property, according to the New York Post.
The search uncovered additional unregistered firearms, including a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun and a .22-caliber Kel-Tec handgun with a high-capacity magazine, hidden in a bedroom closet, the outlet reported. Officers also found a loaded .32-caliber Sea Camp handgun hidden in his vest, the outlet reported.
New York artist who paints with human blood arrested with concealed 'illegal gun' after police respond to drug overdose https://t.co/gQuZk8zUDC pic.twitter.com/ISIQPLPF53
— New York Post (@nypost) September 1, 2024
Castiglia's work, which has been exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and abroad, reportedly explores themes of life, death and the human condition, some of which are made entirely from human blood, including his own. According to the New York Post, his social media activity also sheds light on his work as a tattoo artist.
“A drug overdose investigation led to the execution of a search warrant and the seizure of three firearms and a large amount of ammunition from the city,” the NYPD's 123rd Precinct posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Once again, the members of the 123rd Precinct did an outstanding job!” (RELATED: Renowned street artist Sabo mocks Biden and George Clooney in provocative painting in Los Angeles)
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
The overdose investigation led to a search warrant being executed and three guns and a large amount of ammunition being seized from the city – another impressive job by members of the 123rd. pic.twitter.com/gBipAfkluk— NYPD 123rd Precinct (@NYPD123Pct) August 27, 2024
According to the media, Castile claims he bought the Kel-Tec handgun at a shooting range in Florida but did not have the necessary license to own a gun in New York City. He is currently facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the report. Castile, who has pleaded not guilty, is being held on Rikers Island on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, according to the media.
