A New Mexico High School Football Player Murdered His Teammate at a New Year’s Eve Party. He Recently Learned His Fate.

A high school football player in New Mexico was recently sentenced in connection with the death of his 17-year-old teammate at a New Year’s Eve party two years ago.

A judge ordered Joaquin Sanchez, now 20, to serve the maximum allowable under New Mexico law, 18 years behind bars, with credit for time served, or around three years, KOB reported.

New Mexico State Police said Sanchez shot and killed Joshua Vigil following an altercation at a party at Sanchez’s home on Dec. 31, 2021, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

According to the outlet, around 10:20 p.m. that evening, officers in the Las Vegas, New Mexico, area responded to a call about a shooting victim.

Officers found Vigil dead inside the home, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Sanchez was taken into custody without incident and was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center on Jan. 1, 2022, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

He was charged with second-degree murder and negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

“Josh lost his life because of what I did. Because of my actions, everyone who was there that night is changed forever," Sanchez told the court at his sentencing hearing about his teammate and classmate at West Las Vegas High School. "Now the Vigil family has to live with that pain."