MIAMI — More than a decade after a little boy was gunned down during a South Florida robbery, his convicted killer learned his fate on Tuesday.

A judge sentenced Anthawn Ragan to life in prison in the Nov. 22, 2013 killing of 10-year-old Aaron Vu during a robbery at his family’s nail salon near North Miami.

Ragan, 31, could have faced the death penalty after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in January.

Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez said Aaron “was the innocent victim of the wrath and fury of” Ragan, then 18.

She explained why she felt life was the appropriate sentence.

“Though chronologically 18 years old at the time of the crime, (Ragan) was neurodevelopmentally impaired,” she said. “The court must give consideration and does give consideration to the fact that Anthawn Ragan pled guilty to and accepted responsibility for the killing of Aaron.”

Ragan trembled as Tinkler Mendez handed down the sentence. Aaron’s mother, Lindsey Vu, wept.

“This was not a client who was deserving of the death penalty, not with his neurological and maturity deficits,” Tony Moss, Ragan’s attorney, said. “We’re grateful that the judge understood that after reviewing all of the evidence from both sides. I thought it was a well-thought-out decision, well-reasoned, and we are certainly grateful.”

Tinkler Mendez told the Vu family, “This court recognizes that no sentence imposed today can restore what you have lost.”

Hai Vu, Aaron’s father, was also shot that day. He spoke to Local 10 News and other South Florida media outlets following the judge’s decision.

“I‘ve already made amends towards him,” Vu said. “When it happened, it was the hardest thing. This is the second hardest thing in my life.”

Vu said he is thankful that the legal chapter is over.

“As long as he’s not ever out in public to hurt another innocent person, that’s the main thing,” he said. “That’s the main thing.”

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