Anthawn Ragan, a man found guilty for murdering a 21-year-old man at a North Miami Hotel in 2013, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ragan did not take the stand during his sentencing trial on Thursday. After the verdict was read, Ragan smiled, and his mother could be heard sobbing. They walked out of the courtroom, declining to speak to the media. 

In April, a jury found Ragan guilty of premeditated first-degree murder in the Nov. 1 shooting death of 21-year-old Luis Perez at a Motel 7.

During the trial, prosecutors said the shooting was part of a month-long crime spree by Ragan that included the Nov. 22 shooting at the Hong Kong Nails salon, where he fatally shot 10-year-old Aaron Vu and wounded his father, Hai Vu.

Surveillance footage showed Ragan and another person entering the nail salon with guns drawn, threatening customers and employees.

Authorities said the two stole $300 before Ragan allegedly opened fire, killing the young boy and injuring his father. His attorney said the trial for this shooting will be in 2026. 

Ragan has also been convicted of attempted murder in the Nov. 7 shooting of Kevin Burke. He was riding home on a bike when he was shot and spent a month in the hospital. Ballistics tied Ragan to the shooting years later. Ragan was sentenced to 37 years in prison for his crime.

Sentencing hearing testimony

Over the last three days, the jury has heard from one of Ragan's victims who worked at a restaurant he robbed on Nov. 9. The woman described having a gun pointed at her head. Ragan has been convicted of that crime and was sentenced to 60 years.

The jury also heard from three of Ragan's father, uncle and a cousin. All three testified wearing orange jumpsuits. Ragan's father and great-uncle are both doing time for murder. Meanwhile, his cousin is serving time in prison for attempted murder. 

Two psychologists have taken the stand during the proceedings. One testified that Ragan would not cooperate with finishing the exam but from his past medical history, he determined Ragan has ADHD, social anxieties and a low to average IQ. The second testified that he thought Ragan was being deceptive during the testing.