Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a Schenectady man who pulled out a loaded handgun and terrorized patrons inside a popular Albany bar is heading to state prison.

Honorable Thomas Marcelle sentenced Hector Gomez, 41, to serve 10 years behind bars followed by five years of post-release supervision after he pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

“WTs is an Albany institution and I want to make sure our nightlife is safe and vibrant,” DA 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.”

It was just after 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2025, when Gomez and his friends got into a verbal argument with a group of bar patrons inside Washington Tavern. The argument turned physical and Gomez pulled out a loaded 9mm handgun, pointed it at several patrons, placed it against the head of a female and threatened “I’ll kill everyone in here.”

Cell phone videos from patrons who recorded the incident that night showed a chaotic and terrifying scene. At one point, Gomez is spotted with his back against the front door, wielding the handgun and pointing it at individuals who were either holding their hands up or ducking for cover under the bar. Gomez eventually exited the bar and fired two rounds into the ground before fleeing the area.

Albany Police were called to the Western Avenue location and began investigating the incident. Gomez turned himself into APD on Feb. 17 and was arrested.

Gomez admitted to taking ecstasy and marijuana and drinking before the incident unfolded.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph Brucato, Bureau Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, said before sentencing that the University at Albany students who were there that day were traumatized and will carry this with them for their life.

“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,” Brucato said.

Judge Marcelle said that the combination of taking drugs and consuming alcohol and bringing a gun to a bar is “a recipe for death and disaster” and that what Gomez did “came close, perilously close, too close” to causing a tragedy.

Gomez apologized to his victims, the court and his family before sentencing and told Marcelle that he plans to make himself a better person going forward.