Suspect Arraigned in Deadly Shooting of Plaid Pantry Employee Over $25

21-year-old Michale Paine turned himself in after surveillance footage linked him to the crime

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:52am by Ben Kaplan

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A 21-year-old man named Michale Paine has been arraigned in court for the shooting death of a Plaid Pantry employee in northeast Portland. Paine is accused of demanding money from the till and then shooting 57-year-old Ernesto Castellanos, who was working the graveyard shift, when he did not immediately comply. Paine allegedly told police he was drunk and high at the time and that the $25 in the till was not worth Castellanos' life.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime and the devastating impact it can have on local communities. The senseless loss of life over a small amount of money has left the Plaid Pantry team and Castellanos' loved ones in Cuba devastated.

The details

Surveillance footage shows Paine walking around the store, pouring a fountain drink, and then approaching Castellanos to demand the money in the till. When Castellanos did not immediately comply, Paine shot him twice in the chest and neck. Several customers tried to help Castellanos, with one attempting CPR and another calling 911, but he was found unconscious behind the counter and later died. Fingerprints left on the fountain drink helped identify Paine as the suspect, and he turned himself in to police on Monday night.

  • On April 1, 2026, Michale Paine had his first court appearance after turning himself in to Portland Police.
  • Paine is scheduled to return to court on April 8, 2026.

The players

Michale Paine

A 21-year-old man accused of shooting and killing Ernesto Castellanos, a Plaid Pantry employee, during a robbery attempt.

Ernesto Castellanos

A 57-year-old Plaid Pantry employee who was working the graveyard shift when he was shot and killed by Michale Paine.

Nathan Vasquez

The Multnomah County District Attorney, who stated that there is no doubt Paine is the right suspect and called the murder "gruesome".

Jonathan Polonsky

The CEO of Plaid Pantry, who said the "senseless act of violence" that took Castellanos' life is a tragedy.

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What they’re saying

“There's no doubt that we have the right person.”

— Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney

“This is a man who lost his life for such a ridiculous thing and to not that there's any amount that makes it worth it, but this is it's a particularly heartbreaking when we look at how little money was involved in this and just the loss of life is really devastating.”

— Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney

“Ernesto did nothing to precipitate this at all. This is a very callous act.”

— Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney

“The senseless act of violence that took Ernesto Castellanos' life is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with his loved ones and our entire Plaid Pantry team as we continue to process this loss.”

— Jonathan Polonsky, Plaid Pantry CEO

What’s next

Paine is scheduled to return to court on April 8, 2026, where the judge will decide whether to grant him bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the devastating impact of violent crime and the urgent need to address the root causes of such senseless acts. It serves as a somber reminder of the value of human life and the importance of fostering safe, compassionate communities.