PUEBLO, CO — A routine child custody exchange spiraled into chaos last week after a Pueblo man allegedly opened fire, shooting two people and now facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

According to police and court records, the incident occurred on May 18 around 6:50 p.m. near East Routt Avenue and Hudson Avenue. Officers responded to reports of a shooting during what was supposed to be a standard custody handoff. The accused, 39-year-old Brian Gallegos, was arrested shortly after the incident and is being held without bond in the Pueblo County jail.

Authorities say Gallegos shot two individuals during the exchange—both sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals. As of May 23, both victims were reportedly in stable condition.

The Pueblo Police Department confirmed that the shooting was directly tied to a child custody situation, though they have not released additional details on the relationship between Gallegos, the victims, and the child involved. The child was not harmed and is now in the care of relatives.

Gallegos is facing multiple charges, including:

• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Menacing with a deadly weapon
• Child abuse

Witnesses in the area described the scene as horrifying. “I heard five or six gunshots and then saw people screaming,” said one neighbor. “There were children crying nearby. It was terrifying.”

Court records show that Gallegos has a prior criminal history, but the full details have not yet been released publicly. Prosecutors say the attempted murder charges reflect the seriousness of the crime and that the shooting could have easily resulted in fatalities.

This tragic incident highlights a growing concern about the risks involved in volatile custody exchanges—particularly those without neutral supervision or third-party involvement. In Colorado and across the country, family courts are under increasing pressure to improve safety measures in high-conflict custody cases.

Community advocates have renewed calls for reform, noting that custody exchanges should never turn into life-threatening situations. “We need to protect children and families from violence during these vulnerable moments,” said a spokesperson for a local family services agency. “This is yet another example of why the system needs to better anticipate and prevent dangerous outcomes.”

Gallegos is scheduled to appear in court again next week. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Pueblo Police Department.

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