9/11/12

A Peabody man is free on $500 cash bail after police say he fired a 9 millimeter handgun at his T.V. three times in a fit of rage Sunday night.

The only witness to the incident told police that Roger Disciullo, 56, of 5 Normandy Drive, made multiple vicious attacks on the inanimate object after both she and his wife refused him money.

According to a police report, officers responded to the address just after 8 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a 911 call from the witness, Disciullo's mother, who was locked in an upstairs bedroom with her other son, a 49-year-old described as having "special needs."

Upon police arrival, Disciullo exited the home unarmed through the front door and was taken into custody. The reporting officer described him as unsteady on his feet, with slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

"I only shot at the T.V., I'm not going to hurt anyone," Disciullo was quoted as saying in the report.

Officers were able to recover the loaded handgun used to shoot at the T.V. in a desk drawer in the living room, where Disciullo told them it would be, according to the report. His wife returned home, unaware of what had happened, while officers were still on scene, and led them to another loaded handgun in a bedroom, as well as two rifles and various ammunition locked in a safe.

Disciullo's mother told police that from her second-floor apartment she could hear him arguing with his wife, apparently over the phone, about money, and came downstairs when she heard glass breaking. She witnessed Disciullo throw a whiskey glass, ceramic ashtray and cordless phone at the T.V. across the room, according to the report.

She stated to police that she observed Roger pull the handgun out of the desk drawer, point it at the T.V. and fire it - at no time pointing it in her direction - before running upstairs to call 911.

No one was injured. Disciullo faces charges of domestic assault, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and two counts of improper storage of a firearm.

As part of his bail, Disciullo must not consume drugs or alcohol, submit to random screening, surrender all of his weapons, and attend three alcoholics anonymous meetings per week.

He is due back in court on October 9.