Billerica – On Saturday, March 31, 2012, at approximately 4:30PM, Billerica Police received an Emergency 911 call from a Pinedale Ave resident reporting a disturbance. The caller stated that two unknown people had stopped in the middle of Pinedale Ave and exited their vehicles. One of these persons reportedly had a gun, which he was allegedly pointing at the other party. It was further reported that an off-duty Somerville Police Officer was on-scene and had disarmed the party with the firearm.

On arrival at the scene, Billerica Police Officer Ian Taylor observed Somerville Police Detective Mario Oliveira with a male suspect in custody. That individual was later identified as David Casella (left), 18, of Billerica. Detective Oliveira reported that he observed the two involved parties abruptly exit their vehicles in the middle of Pinedale Ave. Detective Oliveira reported that one of the involved vehicles appeared to be blocking the travel lane of the second involved vehicle. The operator of the offending vehicle, reported to be David Casella, then exited his vehicle with a double barrel shotgun. Casella allegedly pointed the shotgun at the victim while making threatening statements. Detective Oliveira, who was armed, but off-duty, immediately approached Casella and identified himself as a police officer. Casella immediately surrendered the firearm and was placed into custody by Detective Oliveira. Officers later discovered that Casella was also in possession of Chemical Mace and body armor. The other party involved in the incident was unharmed. Both Casella and the victim were known to one another and this was not a random event. David Casella was charged with:

• Assault to Murder
• Possession of a sawed-off shotgun, 2nd offense
• Carrying a firearm without a license
• Carrying chemical mace without an FID card
• Possession of ammunition without an FID card
• Using body armor during a felony

Any additional questions should be directed to Sergeant Roy Frost, 978-667-1212 x120