A Hobbs man was sentenced on April 24 to 66 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm after he shot a store employee during an attempted liquor theft at an Albuquerque business.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and the consequences of illegal firearm possession by individuals with prior felony convictions.
According to court documents, Kevin Metcalf, age 37, entered El Rey Liquors in downtown Albuquerque on December 29, 2024. He attempted to steal a bottle of alcohol but fled when confronted by a store employee. Metcalf then turned and fired a shot toward two employees standing in the doorway, striking one employee in the leg. A nearby officer with the Albuquerque Police Department heard the gunshot and saw a vehicle leaving without headlights. After attempting to evade police, the vehicle was stopped and Metcalf was detained along with the driver. Officers found a tan firearm protruding from beneath Metcalf's seat. Surveillance footage confirmed that Metcalf was the shooter.
Metcalf later admitted that he used the recovered firearm during the offense. At that time, he had previous felony convictions and knew he was not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and will be subject to three years of supervised release following his prison term.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said: "First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Albert Gibes, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today." The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department.
There is no parole in federal cases such as this one.
