Did Alfredo Simon Accidentally Shoot His Cousin?

By Michael Lopez

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon isn't having such a great new year. Simon surrendered to Dominican Republic police this week after a deadly New Year's Eve shooting that left his 25-year-old cousin dead.

Simon, who celebrated New Year's Eve with family and friends in his hometown of Luperon, fired two bullets into the air when the clock struck midnight, according to his attorney. Those bullets may have struck his cousin, Michael Esteban Castillo, who died from the injuries, and Castillo’s 17-year-old brother Starlin, who is in stable condition. But with reports that 15 different people fired shots into the air at the same party, the deadly bullets may not have come from Simon’s gun.

"It wasn't a thing like we began arguing and I started shooting," Alfredo told police when he turned himself in Monday. "It was some accident; it happened by accident. That's why I came here — to open my soul."

Simon's lawyer, Carlos Olivares, said Tuesday that preliminary forensics tests clear his client of any wrongdoing.

"The ballistics tests have been favorable," Carlos Olivares told CNN. "We are waiting for the formal report."

Did you have any drama at your New Year’s Eve party? Comment below or @MTV3.

Tags Alfredo Simon, Baltimore Orioles, Dominican Republic, MLB, New Year's, Sports