Madison Finch, 19, of La Harpe, Illinois, was shot in the back of the head and killed during a New Year’s Eve party at her residence on January 1, 2018. She was a freshman at Illinois State University studying to become a nurse to help children with cancer. The shooting occurred during an altercation at the party.

The primary suspect was Antonio Sanchez, 18, of Hamilton. Sanchez was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery; he later entered a plea and was convicted of second-degree murder and home invasion. Court filings say Sanchez knocked Madison to the ground and shot her in the back of the head. He received concurrent 20-year sentences for both convictions, with the plea allowing for the possibility of release after serving 17 years. Madison’s mother Carrie Finch and sister Josie Finch delivered victim impact statements at sentencing about the effect of her death on their lives and the community.