Photo: David Wayne Mascherini
A 4 AM call to Fresno County Sheriff’s Office’s dispatch on April 1, 2020 sent deputies to a home on Auberry Road, between Blue Heron and Rock Hill Lanes, in Auberry.
The suspect, 68-year old David Wayne Mascherini had pointed a gun at this wife and threatened to kill her. Dispatch continued communication with the subjects in the house and warned deputies Mascherini was threatening to shoot and kill law enforcement agents who got close to his property.
Mascherini continued the standoff alone after his wife gained safety outside the home. The suspect’s wife alerted deputies her husband was intoxicated – drugs and alcohol – and had an extensive collection of rifles and handguns.
All the while, the dispatcher remained in communication with Mascherini and updated deputies of his status and location in the house.
The SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to the scene but Mascherini wanted to speak with only the dispatcher. The dispatcher relayed effective messaging from the CNT to the suspect. SWAT took Mascherini into custody at 9:15 AM when he voluntarily stepped out his home, unarmed.
After a hospital evaluation, Mascherini was booked at the Fresno County Jail where he remains as of the time of this writing with bail set at $70,000. His possible charges include deterring an officer by threat or violence, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats.
Photo from FCSO
