Longmont Man Sentenced to Probation for Shooting Teen Car Break-In Suspect

The 13-year-old victim survived the 2022 shooting incident.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Longmont, Colorado man named Patrick Gallagher was sentenced to two years of probation and 80 hours of community service for shooting a 13-year-old boy who was allegedly trying to break into Gallagher's truck in January 2022. Gallagher was initially charged with eight counts, including first-degree attempted murder, but pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree assault.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of force in response to property crimes, especially when minors are involved. It also raises questions about bail reform, public safety, and the role of gun ownership in residential neighborhoods.

The details

According to police, on January 19, 2022, Gallagher came out of his home and confronted several people he saw trying to break into his truck. During a 911 call, Gallagher reported the suspects were shooting at his residence. Gallagher then fired a shotgun at the group, striking and wounding the 13-year-old boy. The injured teen was found in a vehicle with two other adults and one other juvenile that police had pulled over shortly after the incident.

  • The shooting incident occurred on January 19, 2022, around 11:20 p.m.
  • Gallagher was sentenced on February 10, 2026.

The players

Patrick Gallagher

A Longmont, Colorado resident who shot a 13-year-old boy he accused of trying to break into his truck.

The 13-year-old boy

The victim who was shot by Gallagher and survived the incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in our communities.”

— Robert Jenkins, Longmont Resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Gallagher to serve his probation sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities around the use of force in response to property crimes, especially when minors are involved. It raises important questions about public safety, gun ownership, and the need for balanced approaches to criminal justice that consider both victim and offender perspectives.