A man who killed a 4-year-old as he shot at a rival gang members in Echo Park last year was sentenced to 93 years to life in prison Thursday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office announced.

The Jan. 13, 2009 murder of little Robert Lopez Jr. happened in the 1200 block of West Court Street near downtown as Howard Astorga and fellow gang members played football in the street. A red car with rivals inside raced by, and Astorga opened fire with a .38 caliber handgun.

The boy, who was walking to a nearby park with his sister and cousins was struck and later died at a hospital.

Astorga, 26, was convicted last month of first-degree murder and shooting at an occupied motor vehicle.

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