WILBRAHAM - David P. Gatti, the man fatally shot inside a condominium on May 7, had armed himself with a broken wine glass, and was following the homeowner up the stairs when shot dead, according to local and state police.
Gatti, a star football and lacrosse player at Minnechaug Regional High School a decade ago, was "delusional and incoherent" when he entered the homeowner's unit, according to a prepared statement issued Thursday by Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett.
Gatti suffered from severe depression and schizophrenia and was under a doctor's care, according to Bennett.
The information released by Bennett follows an investigation by Wilbraham police and state police attached to his office.
The investigation was aided with the full cooperation of the homeowner, which the release identifies as Ronald Duval, as well as Gatti's parents, Bennett said.
The incident started about 8:15 p.m. when Duval, owner of Unit C20, heard a loud rattling on the front door of his unit and someone saying "let me in, let me in."
Before answering the door, Duval picked up his .380 handgun from his briefcase, which was by the door and placed it in his waistband.
Duval is properly licensed to possess and carrying a firearm, according to Bennett.
When Duval opened the door, Gatti stepped inside. When Duval asked him who he was and what he was doing, he felt threatened by Gatti's delusional and incoherent responses.
As Duval backed into his kitchen, he pulled the gun and pointed it at Gatti, demanding that he stop.
Gatti continued toward Duval, picked up a wine glass from the dishwasher, broke it and threatened Duval with its broken stem.
Duval continue to back away and yelled at Gatti that he would shoot him if he didn't leave. Gatti told him to go ahead and shoot.
Duval moved up the stairs toward where his wife was taking a shower and continued to yell at Gatti to stop.
When Gatti moved up the stairs, Duval shot him in the leg. When Gatti did not stop, Duval shot again, striking Gatti in the chest.
Gatti slumped to the floor and died from the wound to his chest.
Ballistic evidence showed that two shots were fired from the landing of the stairs between the first and second floors. A broken wine glass was found partly in the sink and partly on the floor of the condominium.
Massachusetts law recognizes that deadly force may be used in self-defense in limited circumstances, according to Bennett.
Bennett said he has determined there is no probable cause to support criminal charges and that the case will be closed.
Gatti, a star football and lacrosse player at Minnechaug Regional High School a decade ago, was "delusional and incoherent" when he entered the homeowner's unit, according to a prepared statement issued Thursday by Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett.
Gatti suffered from severe depression and schizophrenia and was under a doctor's care, according to Bennett.
The information released by Bennett follows an investigation by Wilbraham police and state police attached to his office.
The investigation was aided with the full cooperation of the homeowner, which the release identifies as Ronald Duval, as well as Gatti's parents, Bennett said.
The incident started about 8:15 p.m. when Duval, owner of Unit C20, heard a loud rattling on the front door of his unit and someone saying "let me in, let me in."
Before answering the door, Duval picked up his .380 handgun from his briefcase, which was by the door and placed it in his waistband.
Duval is properly licensed to possess and carrying a firearm, according to Bennett.
When Duval opened the door, Gatti stepped inside. When Duval asked him who he was and what he was doing, he felt threatened by Gatti's delusional and incoherent responses.
As Duval backed into his kitchen, he pulled the gun and pointed it at Gatti, demanding that he stop.
Gatti continued toward Duval, picked up a wine glass from the dishwasher, broke it and threatened Duval with its broken stem.
Duval continue to back away and yelled at Gatti that he would shoot him if he didn't leave. Gatti told him to go ahead and shoot.
Duval moved up the stairs toward where his wife was taking a shower and continued to yell at Gatti to stop.
When Gatti moved up the stairs, Duval shot him in the leg. When Gatti did not stop, Duval shot again, striking Gatti in the chest.
Gatti slumped to the floor and died from the wound to his chest.
Ballistic evidence showed that two shots were fired from the landing of the stairs between the first and second floors. A broken wine glass was found partly in the sink and partly on the floor of the condominium.
Massachusetts law recognizes that deadly force may be used in self-defense in limited circumstances, according to Bennett.
Bennett said he has determined there is no probable cause to support criminal charges and that the case will be closed.
