Man sentenced to federal prison after firing shots outside of Columbus-area taco restaurant

A man who opened fire outside of a Wedt Side taco restaurant last spring has been sentenced to time in federal prison.

According to federal investigators, Mexican national Abel Velasquez-Avecedo was sentenced to 27 months in prison (two years, three months) after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine in August.

On April 11, 2025, Velasquez-Avecedo had an argument with another individual at the West Broad Street eatery Taco Nice. He later fired multiple shots from a vehicle while driving by the restaurant.

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Law enforcement later found a pistol in his possession, in addition to 44 small bags containing cocaine and five small bags containing methamphetamine.

Velasquez-Avecedo has prior convictions for assault and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

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