Albuquerque Standoff Suspect Had Violent Criminal Past

Lawmakers look to toughen penalties for felons with guns after fatal police shooting

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Roman Kirby, a felon with a history of violent crimes including aggravated assault on a police officer and shooting his own father, was killed by police after a five-hour SWAT standoff on I-40 in Albuquerque. Lawmakers are now debating harsher penalties for repeat offenders with firearms in an effort to address the issue of violent crime.

Why it matters

The Kirby case highlights the ongoing debate around repeat offenders and gun violence in New Mexico. Lawmakers are looking to implement tougher consequences, including longer prison sentences, for felons caught with firearms in an effort to improve public safety.

The details

Police say Kirby, a convicted felon recently released from prison, threatened officers with a gun during the standoff, leading to a five-hour SWAT situation on I-40. Kirby had a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including a 15-year federal prison sentence for shooting his own father as a felon in possession of a firearm. Despite his violent past, Kirby allegedly had a gun just three months after being released from prison, leading to the fatal confrontation with police.

  • On Tuesday, Albuquerque police were involved in a five-hour SWAT standoff with Kirby on I-40.
  • Kirby was killed by police around 10:30 PM on Tuesday.
  • Kirby was recently released from prison in October 2025 after serving 15 years.
  • Kirby's previous conviction for shooting his own father as a felon in possession of a firearm occurred in 2010.

The players

Roman Kirby

A felon with a history of violent crimes, including aggravated assault on a police officer and shooting his own father, who was killed by police after a standoff on I-40 in Albuquerque.

Cecily Barker

The Albuquerque Police Department's Interim Chief, who shared details about Kirby's violent criminal past following the fatal shooting.

Michelle Lujan Grisham

The Democratic Governor of New Mexico, who called for tougher consequences on repeat felon offenders with guns during her State of the State address.

House Bill 49

A bipartisan legislative effort to impose harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences, for felons caught with firearms.

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What they’re saying

“Violence is disproportionately perpetrated by repeat felon offenders, and we must, right now, hold them accountable. You know how we could do that? In addition to increased penalties? Why don't we have pretrial detention like the federal model that keeps suspects charged with violent crimes behind bars while they wait trial?”

— Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico (KOB.com)

“He was recently in prison for 15 years released in October of 2025. He should not have had a firearm. His history does include aggravated assault against a police officer, several firearm convictions, trafficking and we do know there was an incident where he shot his own father.”

— Cecily Barker, Albuquerque Police Department Interim Chief (KOB.com)

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to debate House Bill 49, which would impose harsher penalties for felons caught with firearms, on Friday or Saturday.

The takeaway

The Kirby case highlights the ongoing challenge of repeat offenders and gun violence in New Mexico. Lawmakers are seeking to address this issue by proposing tougher consequences, including longer prison sentences, for felons who possess firearms, in an effort to improve public safety and hold violent criminals accountable.