Man sentenced in connection with 2014 Schenectady killing

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A second man arrested in connection with the November 2014 killing of a man on Bridge Street in a dispute over a van has been sentenced, prosecutor Brian Gray said Friday. He is the second person to be sentenced in the case.

Two others continue to be sought.

Jonathan Gomez, 24, of Schenectady, received a total sentence Friday of 10 years in state prison for his role in the Nov. 24, 2014 Bridge Street case that left one man dead and another wounded.

Gomez also admitted to participating in a previous unrelated shooting that resulted in no injuries.

Together, Gomez pleaded guilty to an attempted murder count and an attempted robbery count.

Gomez’ sentencing Friday follows the Jan. 13 sentencing of Alexis Rodriguez, 36, formerly of Crane Street.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection with the Bridge Street case.

He received an agreed-upon 20 years to life in state prison.

Rodriguez admitted to shooting and killing 30-year-old Jose Sanchez on Bridge Street. He also admitted to being an accomplice to the stabbing of Sanchez’s 28-year-old brother Victor Sanchez. Victor Sanchez survived.

Authorities believe Rodriguez, Gomez and two others went to Bridge Street that evening intent on robbing Jose Sanchez of a van. The van ended up not being there, but the shooting and stabbing soon erupted, Gray said.

Prosecutors offered the attempted robbery plea to Gomez in the Bridge Street case as they believe he participated in the attempted robbery of the van, they also believe he went unarmed.

Two of the three others had guns, andone had a knife, Gray said. Rodriguez opened fire with what prosecutors believe was an semi-automatic assault rifle, killing Sanchez.

One of the two still at large allegedly stabbed Victor Sanchez. Authorities believe one of the other three twice fired a handgun, also hitting Jose Sanchez.

Gray declined to identify the two others who are still sought. He said expects them to be charged with murder once they are apprehended.

In the unrelated McClellan Street case, authorities believe Gomez and a second man, Kevin Fontanez, 23, fired two or three shots at an individual on Sept. 11, 2014. Gray said he believes both men carried guns, but it is unclear if both fired. Fontanez’ case remains pending.