Brusstar's firearm protection order extended one year

'A fear I never knew existed:' Judge grants firearm protection order against standoff suspect

BERNALILLO — A judge granted a temporary extreme risk firearm protection order against Eric …

UPDATE: Suspect faces 'a number of charges' in overnight standoff

UPDATE: 7:40 a.m.

BERNALILLO — A judge has granted a one-year extension to the extreme risk firearm protection order against Eric Brusstar.

Brusstar is accused of firing hundreds of rounds of ammunition, including at police helicopters, during an overnight standoff with police Dec. 17-18. On Dec. 20, a temporary order was issued after law enforcement officers and a neighbor who witnessed the event filed petitions for it.

On Monday, Dec. 30, Judge George P. Eichwald extended the order for one year, and it now expires Dec. 30, 2025.

“The court finds by a preponderance of evidence that (Brusstar) poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others by having in (his) custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. Therefore, the court issues this one-year extreme risk protection order,” court documents from Monday’s hearing state.

The order cited recent threats and acts of violence by Brusstar against law enforcement and the community; a history of mental health diagnoses; and his use of alcohol and controlled substances in granting the petition.

The order prohibits Brusstar from possessing, controlling, purchasing, receiving, attempting to purchase or having in his custody any firearm. It also orders he must relinquish all firearms “in his custody and control.” It also recommends a mental health evaluation and allows for Brusstar to request the order’s termination prior to its expiration.

Brusstar was not present for the hearing.