Sentence Handed Down for Double Murder

There was a lot of heartbreak in a Yakima County courtroom Monday as 20-year-old Lameiro Flores received his punishment for the murder of two teenage boys.

A girlfriend of one of the victims told KNDO News, "He took my best friend. He took a part of my children's life no one will ever be able to give them back."

In August of 2012 police said Flores shot and killed 18-year-old Jobany Martinez and 17-year-old Jose Avilez near the Yakima Greenway. He also attempted to shoot another man but missed. Police said Flores did not have a criminal record or any affiliation with gangs but the two victims did. According to neighbors they were harassing the suspect to join.

"The week before that you know things did happen, and they come over here and bothered him," said John Moreau who is one of the suspect's neighbors. "They want him to join their gang, Lameiro and Lameiro didn't want to do it. Lameiro ran them away."

As Judge Ruth Reukauf handed down the sentence she urged the victim’s families to become more vigilant and help their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters end gang ties before they suffer more heartache.

"It's always come out on either again family members coming forward with pictures of their loved ones that are no longer with us, or family members who are losing a loved one to the prison system for many, many years," said Judge Reukauf.

Flores did plead guilty last week to two counts of first degree murder as part of a plea deal. As part of that deal prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge and weapon enhancement charge.

Flores will spend the next 40 years behind bars.