Casey McCalip Eby, 24, of Dimmit pleaded guilty Friday morning in State District Court for the January 2015 murder of Elias Gonzales, 36, in the 1500 block of 42nd Street. 

Eby agreed to accept a 30-year prison sentence. 

Court records from the time indicated that Eby, age 23 at the time, was looking for Gonzales earlier and then found him at home.  Court records said Eby tried to push his way through the front door, and, when he couldn’t, he pulled out a gun and fired at Gonzales in the front doorway. 

Court records said Eby confessed to a friend.  He also purchased a handgun the day before.

“This has forever changed our family,” Michele Cervantez, Gonzales’ sister, said in a written impact statement.  “Some say time heals all wounds.  I disagree.”

Cervantez also wrote, “As long as the person who is responsible for Elias’ death is allowed to take a breath, we will ache and long for justice to be served.”