Fresno man sentenced to 79-years to life in prison for murder of 18-year-old Nicole Jones

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A gang member who fired into a crowd near Fresno City College six years ago, killing an innocent 18-year-old, will spend 79 years to life in prison.

Tony Leon didn't say a word before learning his sentence Thursday.

But he heard plenty from the family of his victim, Nicole Jones.

"I've never hated anyone like I hate him, and the sad thing is I don't even know him," said Rose Robles, Nicole's mother.

Since 2012, Robles has been trying to forgive the man who pulled the trigger of a sawed-off shotgun and claimed he was trying to break up a fight in his neighborhood.

But his lack of remorse throughout six years of court hearings and a trial has been hard for Nicole's family.

"Since he was such a big man with a gun, he should be a big man without a gun," said Robles.

Leon is a validated and admitted gang member with a long criminal past. The victim's family said he crossed the line that day when he fired into a crowd.

"Ain't nothing gangster about killing a child. You get no marks for that," said Nicole's uncle, Michael Feathers.

Nicole had just graduated from Hoover High and was visiting a friend when she was shot in the head.

The Honorable James Petrucelli said, "These type of cases are certainly the most difficult. The more senseless the killing is. The more innocent the victim is certainly the harder it is for all of us."

Nicole's mother sobbed, as she shared what she misses most about her baby girl. The dreams that will never become a reality, and the memories that will also be past tense.

"She was planning on taking business classes so she can open her own beauty salon and she loved doing her hair and nails, said Robles.

Nicole was an organ donor, something her mother says a lot of people never knew.

No members of Leon's family were present during sentencing.