WINONA Minn. – Police believe they know who fired shots in a street rumble on the Far West End two weeks ago and now have arrested Salvatore Dionato Piscitiello. He was charged with felony possession of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm. Police knew the night of the brawl that Piscitiello, age 19, was involved, but neither he nor anybody else would point fingers. Investigators worked the next two weeks on re-interviewing everybody from both sides, including Piscitiello – all to no avail.
Self-incrimidation
The break came when an investigator was able to overhear Piscitiello make incriminating statements that were caught on a squad car video. According to the investigator, Piscitiello said, in effect:
> “Should not have brought my 45.”
> “I shot into the air afterwards.”
Piscitiello was chatting with a compatriot after their minivan had been stopped a few blocks away. In the confusion, everyone in the vehicle was milling around as officers were trying to sort out what happened. Apparently Piscitiello didn’t realize that he was on camera. The supporting rationale for arresting Piscitiello: Probable cause.
Mystery pistol
In the minivan the officers found a .45-caliber pistol. According to neighborhood people who heard the original confrontation, at least two shots, perhaps four, were fired as one group was driving off. Nobody was injured. Police then found a shell casing at the scene that matched the gun they found in the minivan. The gun, however, was impossible to trace because serial number had been filed off.
Piscitiello. Arrested about 11 a.m. in the 1150 block of East Wabasha Street without incident. The brawl was September 23 on the 700 block of West Wabasha on the other side of town.