Man who shot 2 NMSU students at a house party in 2014 sentenced

The man who shot two New Mexico State University students at a house party in 2014 was sentenced Wednesday, said officials with the Dona Ana District Attorney’s Office.

Philip Zaman, 25, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Chief District Judge Fernando Macias.

Earlier this year, Zaman pleaded no contest to attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, negligent use of a firearm, and criminal damage to property.

It was November 2014 that police said Zaman left the house party at a home near NMSU, only to come back armed with a .40 caliber handgun.

They said he knocked down the door and fired, hitting one man in the stomach. Zaman shot the second victim who was trying to run away. The bullet grazed the victim’s shoulder, entered his mouth, and knocked several teeth out before exiting his cheek.

Both victims were taken to University Medical Center in El Paso.

At Wednesday’s hearing, both victims and one of their parents asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence possible.

Zaman was also arrested in January while out on bond for allegedly running over and killing a woman in Santa Fe County. That case is still pending.