ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Albany County District Attorney’s Office (ACDA) announced that Hector Gomez of Schenectady was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in state prison for brandishing a loaded gun in an Albany bar in early 2025. Gomez, 41, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon back in September.
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On February 8, 2025, Gomez and multiple friends got into a verbal dispute with another group of people around 2:45 a.m. at Washington Tavern on Western Avenue in Albany. When the altercation turned physical, Gomez admitted that he drew a loaded handgun and pointed it at several patrons, threatening to kill everybody in the bar.
Gomez would go on to fire two bullets into the ground outside the tavern before fleeing the scene. The Schenectady man was arrested on February 17 after turning himself into Albany Police, and later confessed that he had taken ecstasy, marijuana, and had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident.
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“WTs (Washington Tavern) is an Albany institution, and I want to make sure our nightlife is safe and vibrant,” Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon said. “Securing sentences like this in cases like these goes a long way in sending a message that we’re trying to make Albany a better place.”
“This sentence holds the defendant accountable and sends a message to everyone who thinks about carrying a gun in public that we’re not going to stand for this behavior in our city,” Assistant District Attorney Joseph Brucato stated.
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According to the ACDA, Gomez reportedly apologized to his victims, his family, and the court at his sentencing, telling Judge Thomas Marcelle that he “plans to make himself a better person going forward.” Judge Marcelle ordered Gomez to serve five years of post-release supervision following his prison time…