Thomas Niarchos was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder.

Almost a year after he shot a man in broad daylightThomas Niarchos accepted responsibility for the crime on Friday and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.

Niarchos, 16, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and related offenses for the Nov. 22 killing of Jeremy Hawkins outside the Charles W. Dickinson Transportation Center in downtown Pottstown. Negotiation statement announced by prosecutors was offered in consultation with the Hawkins familyspared Niarchos a trial for first-degree murder.

As part of the guilty plea, Nirajos also admitted guilty to possession of a weapon. For this separate charge, Niarchos will remain in juvenile detention until his 21st birthday, where he will continue to receive mental health care.

Niarchos will then serve his murder sentence in state prison, according to Montgomery County Court Judge William Carpenter’s order.

Niarchos apologized to Hawkins’ family Friday after entering his guilty plea, saying he was sorry for hurting them.

“I know an apology will not make up for the loss of his life, but I hope my grief will lessen the pain you feel,” he said.

Investigators said Niarchos, the son of a prominent Pottstown homeless advocate, repeatedly accused Hawkins, 39, of sexually assaulting his then-14-year-old girlfriend in July 2023. The girl refused to talk to police and no charges were filed.

Regardless of Niarchos’ motivation, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Marvel said after Friday’s hearing that Hawkins’ killing not only harmed his family, but the entire community.

“There’s never a murder where somebody walks away feeling like a winner,” Marvel said. “This is a case where we considered the very real trauma and loss of the victim’s family, as well as the loss of the community, and also took into account the specific treatment needs of this minor.”

Niarchos’ attorney, Karen Teck, declined to comment after Friday’s hearing.

His father is Tom Niarchos Executive Director, Pottstown Beacon of Hopea non-profit organization that operates an emergency shelter. Hawkins had previously been homeless but had moved into an apartment in Germantown shortly before he was killed, according to his family. There is no indication that the elder Niarchos knew Hawkins.

On the day of the fatal shooting, Niarchos approached Hawkins, known to the community as “Jay,” as Hawkins walked his bicycle past the transportation center and began yelling at him, according to the probable cause affidavit for Niarchos’ arrest.

Witnesses told police Niarchos accused Hawkins about sexually assaulting his girlfriend before pulling a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol from his waistband. The gun was purchased by the teen’s father and typically kept in a locked safe in their home, prosecutors said.

Hawkins tried to knock the gun away with two bicycle tires he was holding, the affidavit states. Niarchos then shot Hawkins in the face, knocking him to the ground, and fired a second shot as Hawkins lay prone.

Hawkins’ sister, Samantha Burgess, said she and his loved ones are still struggling with his loss.

“I don’t know what to say other than I’m angry and still grieving my brother’s death,” she said. “He was taken from us in a senseless act of violence.”