Today a Jackson County judge sentenced Ahmed Aden, 40, to 40 years in prison for killing a 15-year-old Somali boy in 2014.

Aden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in December 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sentencing hearing was held with most observers participating virtually.

In 2014, Abdisamad Sheikh-Hussein, a sophomore at Staley High School, had just finished leading prayer at the mosque at Admiral Boulevard and Lydia in Kansas City. He was standing outside a vehicle prepared to leaving with friends when he was struck.

Prosecutors initially charged Aden with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, leaving the scene of an accident and unlawful use of a weapon. They argued that the crime was heinous and the defendant was outwardly anti-Muslim, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutors Kate Nelson and Jeannette Wolpink , who prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri, requested a life sentence, 30 years, plus 15 years.

On Aug. 4, Jackson County judge sentenced Aden to 30 years for second-degree murder conviction, plus 10 years for the armed criminal action charge. The sentences will be served consecutively.