Photo of Aynis Vargas
WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A man who admitted his role in the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Angel Valerio was sentenced Tuesday in Providence Superior Court for his role in the killing of sixth-grader Aynis Vargas.
Vargas was shot to death in June 2013 when she was in a crowd of people outside a Providence graduation party. Three women were shot and survived.
Valerio pleaded guilty to assault and conspiracy charges in April. Prosecutors agreed to drop murder and firearms charges. He faced a maximum of 13 years in prison.
Three others pleaded guilty in the killing. A fourth was acquitted of murder but convicted on other charges.
Prosecutors say the group was targeted because they were in the neighborhood of a rival gang.
