A gang member convicted of a double killing at a northeast Bakersfield house party has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Julio Romero fled to Mexico after the shooting on Columbus Street near Oswell Street in 2013 that also injured two others. Prosecutors say he pulled out a gun because he didn’t want to pay a $2 cover charge.

Romero will also have to pay more than $11,000 in restitution to the victims’ families.

Kelli Forsch