ALBUQUERQUE (AP) – Two teenage brothers were sentenced to 20 years each in prison for their roles in a drive-by shooting that killed a five-year-old Albuquerque girl in 2023 in the United States (US), part of a spike in violence at the time that prompted the governor to declare a public health emergency.
Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham suspended the right to carry guns at public parks and playgrounds in New Mexico’s largest metro area as part of her declaration but ultimately ended the order a year later.
The state, however, continues to struggle with cases of violence at the hands of juvenile suspects in Albuquerque and elsewhere, with recent shootings and arrests in a deadly hit-and-run leaving communities shaken.
Prosecutors in Bernalillo County announced the sentences for the two brothers and a 16-year sentence for one of the other defendants in social media posts. Two other defendants received lesser sentences. All five had reached plea agreements with prosecutors.
In statements made in the court, the brothers apologised for the pain they had caused, Albuquerque television station KOB-TV reported.
