Shortly after 4:00 am on Wednesday, sheriff’s dispatchers received a domestic violence call from a woman stating her husband had pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her.
Deputies responded to the home on the Auberry Road, between Blue Heron and Rock Hill Lanes in Auberry. Once deputies arrived, dispatchers notified them that the suspect was threatening to shoot and kill any law enforcement agents who approached his property.
The man’s wife was eventually able to safely escape the house, but he remained barricaded inside. She told deputies her husband was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and he had access to several rifles and handguns. Deputies staged near the home as the dispatcher continued to talk with the suspect over the phone. She relayed updates to deputies of exactly where and what the man was doing inside the house.
The Sheriff’s SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded to the area. CNT worked directly with our dispatcher to help deliver effective messaging to the suspect who preferred to only speak with her. Around 9:15 am, the man agreed to step outside, unarmed. Once he walked out of the house, SWAT deputies took the man into custody. No one was injured.
The suspect, later identified as 68 year old David Mascherini, was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Once booked into the Fresno County Jail, he faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and making death threats.
If you have additional information that can help with this investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111, Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.