Man Sentenced to 12 Years in 12-Year-Old Girl's Killing

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.