FRIENDSWOOD – A Friendswood man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2023 murder of Ethan Riley and the aggravated assault of Benjamin Bliek, according to the Friendswood Police Department.

On Tuesday, Police said Connor Hilton pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 50 years. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and received a 20-year sentence. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to the department, prosecutors reached a plea deal with Hilton and his attorneys with the support of the victims’ families. The agreement spared Bliek and witnesses from the ordeal of a trial while ensuring accountability.

“This case remains a solemn reminder that in tragedies such as this, there are no true winners,” police said in a statement. “One family must endure the unspeakable loss of a child. Another family faces a long and difficult road to recovery. And our Friendswood community has suffered with innocence lost, friendships broken, and lives forever changed.”

Friendswood Police Chief said Ethan Riley and Benjamin Bliek “will never be forgotten by our department,” and that the department remains committed to supporting their families and ensuring the safety of the community.