Wilmington man arrested after altercation ends in shooting, police say

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man has been arrested after an altercation broke out and he fired gun shots.

The Wilmington Police Department says, just after 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to multiple 911 calls regarding a dispute in the 4800 block of South College Road.

When officers arrived, they detained David Gotto, 32, who was called out of his apartment without incident. The investigation determined that Gotto became involved in a verbal dispute with another man in the parking lot, which then escalated to the front entryway of the apartment building. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, during which Gotto pulled a gun from his waistband.

WPD adds that a woman heard the disturbance and opened her apartment door. As the fight between the men continued, Gotto struck the other man with the gun. The nearby woman attempted to intervene and was shot by a single round.

The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center according to WPD.

After the incident, Gotto went into a neighboring apartment and closed the door. Search warrants were obtained and executed for the involved apartments. A gun magazine was located in addition to the gun that was used.

Gotto has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflict serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon, assault by pointing a gun, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Gotto is currently being held without bond at the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.