SAN ANTONIO — A man will spend 70 years behind bars for the murder of a 16-year-old girl at a house party over two years ago.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Monday that 21-year-old Nathaniel Armed Melendez Jr. was sentenced after a jury found him guilty last month for the murder of Evelyn Gumbardo at a house party in 2022.
Two other people were also injured in the shooting that occurred when a fight reportedly broke out and Melendez shot the girl several times.
Melendez pleaded not guilty in the trial but was ultimately convicted and handed a 70 year sentence.
“Gun violence is a very serious epidemic and Evelyn’s death is another unfortunate reminder of that,” said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. “Evelyn will never get the opportunity to graduate from high school or do all things that teenagers get to experience. Her life was cut too short by the defendant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Evelyn.”