Northampton man charged with shooting at neighbors

Flashing police lights

Flashing police lights File photo

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 12-08-2023 1:18 PM

Modified: 12-08-2023 6:08 PM


NORTHAMPTON — A city man was arraigned Friday in Northampton District Court on charges including four counts of assault to murder in connection with an incident Thursday night in Northampton, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.

Police allege that Joshua Martinelli, 29, who lives in a two-family home on Wright Avenue, fired several rounds from an AK-47-style rifle into his adjoining neighbors’ residence.

None of the four adults inside the adjoining residence was injured, but one just narrowly missed being shot when a bullet traveled through the pants he was wearing, authorities said.

The police further allege that Martinelli’s dog was next to him during the shooting.

In addition to the four assault-to-murder charges, Martinelli is charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of animal cruelty, destruction or property, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a large-capacity firearm, possession of a large-capacity feeding device, improper storage of a large-capacity firearm, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

“The Northampton Police Department should be commended for their rapid response to an extremely volatile situation,” said Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington, representing the commonwealth. “Responding officers quickly apprehended the defendant and protected the public from any further harm. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured by the defendant’s dangerous conduct.”

Martinelli is being held at the Hampshire County House of Correction without bail pursuant to the dangerousness statute, until his next hearing in Northampton District Court on Dec. 14.

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