Two men will spend the rest of their lives behind bars for a 2023 shooting that took the life of 11-year-old Froylan Villegas. The incident took place outside a baseball stadium in Albuquerque. The shooting also left Froylan’s cousin Tatiana Villegas paralysed.
It shook the local community and prompted a wave of grief, anger, and debate. In response, New Mexico’s governor imposed a temporary gun ban in certain public spaces, an unusual and controversial move aimed at curbing the violence.
Life Sentences in Mistaken-Identity Shooting That Shook New Mexico
Prosecutors said Jose Romero and Nathen Garley, both in their early 20s, mistook the truck carrying Froylan, his mother, cousin, and baby brother for another vehicle as families left the stadium. While Froylan was killed and Tatiana critically injured, the boy’s mother and baby brother survived unscathed.
In February, a jury convicted the pair of first-degree murder, shooting at or from a vehicle, tampering with evidence, and several other charges. On Wednesday, they were sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 46 years. Prosecutors confirmed the sentence ensures the two will remain under state custody for life.
Tragedy Prompted Statewide Debate on Gun Control
In response to Froylan’s killing and other shootings involving children, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared gun violence a public health emergency.
She temporarily suspended the right to carry firearms in public parks and playgrounds in the Albuquerque area. The controversial move triggered protests and legal battles from gun rights advocates.
District Attorney Sam Bregman, who is running for governor in 2026, praised the efforts of his team. “This shooting shook our entire community,” he said. “I’m proud of my staff for ensuring justice and accountability.”
The sentencing brings closure to a case that exposed deep concerns over public safety and gun access in New Mexico. However, it is continuing to fuel debates around the balance between gun rights and community protection.