Man sentenced for shoot-out with rival gang in Columbia
A U.S. District Judge sentenced a man Monday who was injured during a shoot-out with a rival gang in Columbia for illegally possessing a firearm.
26-year-old Coty Thomas Galbreath was sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison without parole.
In December Galbreath pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm during the gunfight at Garth Avenue and Texas Avenue on July 3, 2013.
Investigators say they found more than 30 shell casings after shots were fired by occupants in two cars.
Several homes were also damaged in the shooting.
Galbreath was treated for a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Galbreath reportedly admitted to his involvement and told investigators the other people involved were gang members sworn to kill him for shooting one of their members back in 2008.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Galbreath was on parole for a prior shooting at the time of this offense.