A social media influencer from Texas has provoked widespread condemnation after filming himself handing out machetes and miniature bottles of whisky to homeless people in a series of controversial online stunts.
Viral Video Sparks Widespread Condemnation
Keith Castillo, a 29-year-old content creator, shared footage on Instagram and TikTok on Thanksgiving showing him distributing the large knives to individuals on the street. The clip, captioned "Keeping the homeless in the streets," quickly went viral, amassing over 14 million views before his TikTok account was reportedly removed.
In the video, which remains on one of his Instagram accounts, Castillo is seen passing the potentially deadly tools to eager recipients. He later told the New York Post he bought the machetes in bulk for less than $5 each and claimed to have about 30 in his car during the interview.
A Pattern of Harmful 'Gifting'
This was not an isolated incident. Castillo's social media pages are filled with similar clips of him distributing harmful items to homeless communities in Austin, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Alongside machetes, he has filmed himself handing out handles of vodka, Fireball whiskey shooters, and loose cigarettes.
He told the Post he embarked on a nationwide tour in October and was in Little Rock, Arkansas at the time of the interview, with plans to visit Las Vegas and New York. "I travel around, bulk record in one city and then for my safety go to another city," he explained, describing his method for creating content.
Defiance and Dubious Justifications
When confronted about the obvious public safety risks, Castillo showed little concern. "Honestly, I really don’t care bro, it’s good for the clicks and views, you know. Gotta do what we have to do so we eat," he bluntly stated.
He offered a contradictory justification for the machetes, claiming they were for "tool purposes" and safety, not violence. He also said the possibility he could be giving alcohol to substance abusers "never crossed his mind." Castillo further asserted he had checked with law enforcement and was told it was fine to hand out machetes, as their possession is legal in most US states where they are considered agricultural tools.
Experts and Public Voice Safety Concerns
Legal experts and the public have reacted with alarm. Retired NYPD Sergeant and professor Joseph Giacalone called the combination "a cocktail for disaster," asking rhetorically, "Could we get any dumber?"
Social media users echoed these fears. "Keeping them safe [no], making them dangerous [yes]," one commenter wrote. Others questioned the motive, with one asking, "Did you want them to be killing each other or killing people with the weapons you're sharing with them?"
There are also legal pitfalls for the recipients. While handing out alcohol may be legal in some contexts, public consumption from an open container is illegal in many areas, including New York, meaning those who drink Castillo's gifts could face fines or arrest.
Contradictory Claims and Lasting Damage
In a later statement to the Daily Mail, Castillo claimed the videos were "all skits" and that he retrieved the machetes after filming. He blamed the negative reaction on public prejudice against homeless people.
Despite these claims, the original videos and his statements to the Post paint a picture of a calculated campaign for online notoriety, leveraging the vulnerability of homeless populations for views. With tens of thousands of followers across his accounts, the stunt has undoubtedly achieved his goal of attention, albeit for what many see as deeply irresponsible and exploitative behaviour.
