West Medford Shooting Victim Made 911 Call Before Passing Out

A Gardener man faces an assault with intent to murder charge after he allegedly shot another man at a Boston Avenue home Sunday.

Damon Gentile, 33, appeared in Somerville District Court this morning, where he was ordered held without bail pending the conclusion of his arraignment, which was continued until Friday, Oct. 28. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, but Gentile did not speak during the court appearance.

The shooting occurred at 5A Boston Ave. about 7:40 p.m. Sunday.

The victim, Corey Audino, 27, called in the shooting himself and told the operator Gentile shot him before he fell unconscious, according to a police report, written by Medford police Sgt. James Perillo. Audino's condition was unavailable Tuesday afternoon, according to a Massachusetts General Hospital spokesman.

The shooting was result of a dispute over custody of a child Audino had with his ex-girlfriend who is now married to Gentile, the report said.

A witness, who is a relative of Audino's, told police he went outside to smoke a cigarette or talk on his cell phone. She heard 5 or 6 shots and went outside to find him lying on the ground, the report said.

Audino had his cell phone in his hand and told the witness "Damon did this" before falling unconscious, according to the police report.

In the recording of Audino's 9-1-1 call, he also said Damon Gentile was the shooter, the report said.

Police responded and found Audino lying on his back in the backyard, having been shot in the chest. Emergency responders performed CPR on him at the scene before taking him by ambulance to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was later transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Gentile fled from the scene in a white SUV registered to his wife, the report said. He was eventually tracked down in Leominster later on Sunday night where he was arrested and brought back to Medford Police headquarters.

Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, the bald-headed Gentile appeared before Judge Maurice Flynn about 10:30 a.m. Monday for an arraignment. The arraignment was continued until 9 a.m. Friday to allow Gentile's attorney more time to review the case.