Man Charged In Shootings With Pellet Gun In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — A Cromwell man has been arrested after police said he shot at several people, including police officers, with a pellet gun last month in Hamden.

David Bertuglia, 44, was arrested Thursday on a warrant in connection with the incidents on April 24 in Hamden.

Bertuglia was charged with first-degree assault – serious physical injury, first-degree assault – discharge of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon, reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct. He was held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

Police responded to the area of Spruce Bank Road around 4:55 p.m. on April 24 after a person who was fishing said they were shot in the arm by what they thought was a BB gun, according to Lt. Raymond Quinn.

Quinn said the victim reported that they thought the person who shot them left in a vehicle. Officers checked the area, but didn’t find a suspect, according to Quinn.

Then at 6:48 p.m., police responded to the area of Ives Street and Spruce Bank Road on a 911 call reporting that a person had been shot, according to Quinn.

Officers found the victim, who Quinn said had injuries consistent with being shot multiple times in the face. It wasn’t immediately clear what type of weapon was used, according to Quinn.

Police found a suspect, who was still at the scene, and was holding a rifle, according to Quinn.

“The suspect was pointing the rifle at their own head threatening to harm themselves,” Quinn wrote in a news release at the time. “Officers engaged the suspect in a dialogue from behind cover. The suspect then pointed the rifle at the Officers and bean firing at them numerous times. Officers now realized that the weapon was in fact a pellet gun. The suspect struck Hamden Police Vehicles with pellets causing damage.

“Hamden Police Officers engaged the suspect with less lethal bean bag projectiles. The suspect was struck and Officers were able to take him into custody.”

Bertuglia was taken to the hospital for an evaluation, Quinn said.

Bertuglia was also arrested by North Haven police on Thursday in connection with similar incidents in their town on April 24.