Ervin C. Jackson, 24, was sentenced in Richmond County Superior Court to life in prison for malice murder, District Attorney Ashley Wright said.

Jackson shot 19-year-old Webster Thacker to death on Dec. 14, 2011, in the 2500 block of Drayton Drive. According to earlier reports in The Augusta Chronicle, Jackson and Thacker argued and then fought over a game. A witness told sheriff investigators that Jackson left the area but returned with a gun. Thacker suffered one gunshot to his chest and three to his back.

Jackson decided to plead guilty Monday, the day his trial was set to begin.

Thacker graduated from Glenn Hills High School in 2010. He played on the football team for four years as a linebacker and fullback. After his death, a Stop the Violence rally was held at the school.