Two gang members, Jose Romero and Nathen Garley, have been sentenced to life in prison plus 46 years for the tragic killing of 11-year-old Froylan Villegas in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pair opened fire on a white truck near Isotopes Park in September 2023, mistakenly believing it carried rival gang members. Instead, they hit an innocent family, fatally shooting Froylan in the head.
According to KRQE, Judge Emetrio Rodolfo delivered the sentences on Monday, June 16. Both men were convicted of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and shooting at or from a vehicle, among other charges, as reported by the New York Post.
Froylan’s cousin, Tatiana Villegas, was also struck in the gunfire and is now paralyzed. His mother and baby brother, who were in the vehicle, survived the attack unharmed.
Tatiana, now 23, gave an emotional victim impact statement during the sentencing.
“He took my best friend,” she said. “I had to watch him die right in front of me. He gets to sit, walk, and eat in jail, and I have to depend on my mom.”
She recounted how Romero smirked during the proceedings but lost his grin the moment the judge handed down the life sentence.
“After the judge sentenced him, he didn’t laugh anymore. I was like, ‘Why don’t you laugh now?’” she added.
Romero later asked to be removed from the courtroom, saying, “I’m done here.”
Speaking to KOAT, Tatiana said the family felt a sense of closure:
“We got justice for Froylan and for me. That’s what matters. The rest, we leave in God’s hands.”
Following the hearing, Bernalillo County prosecutors embraced the Villegas family and presented them with gifts, including a signed Red Sox baseball—Froylan’s favorite team.
