A man who pleaded guilty to killing a 26-year-old mother from Stamford was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison with the possibility for parole.

In January 2017, Sebastian "Bash" Serrano shot at a parked car through the driver's side window, missing the target in the driver's seat, and hitting Elianna Cruz in the passenger seat.

Friday in court, Cruz's mother, Elaine Legato-Maar, and family friend Sonia Henry gave emotional testimonies and pleaded with Serrano to think about what he's done, learn from it and eventually mentor children to make sure they don't follow down the same path. He was 16 years old at the time of the shooting.

The judge commended both woman on what he called their generosity and spirit. He called the shooting a senseless act and said he hopes Serrano can eventually go before a parole board and prove he can change.

Cruz left behind three children whose father was killed in a car crash on Father's Day 2016. They are now living with their grandmother.