Father gets 25 years in prison for shooting two men

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 12:14 p.m.

Gustavo Cumplido, 36, pleaded guilty in June to two counts of second-degree murder. He was sentenced on Thursday.

Cumplido will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

Cumplido was the eldest of five relatives charged in a February double slaying. Charges were dismissed against all but Cumplido and his son Matthew Cumplido, 15.

Matthew pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to probation.

The Feb. 20 incident began at the Cumplidos' home, which had been the target of several harassing incidents. Told that several armed men were outside, the family piled into a pickup and gave chase.

Near the intersection of Pecos Road and Stewart Avenue, the Cumplidos' pickup pulled in front of the victims' vehicle.

Shotgun blasts that Gustavo Cumplido has admitted firing killed Carlos Lopez, 20, and Eloy Nunez, 17. A third man was unharmed.

Authorities said all the evidence indicates the Cumplidos followed the wrong vehicle.

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