Kyle Colthirst, of Uniondale, sentenced to serve 25 years to life in jail for murdering Kyle Midtlyng

The fatal shooting of a former high school sports star during a botched drug robbery in November 2021 landed a Uniondale man a prison term of 25 years to life on Tuesday.

Kyle Colthirst, 20, who was convicted of second-degree murder, attempted robbery and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in fall 2023 after a two-week jury trial, declined to speak during his sentencing. But the family of Kyle Midtlyng, 24, the man he gunned down, had a chance to address the court before the judge imposed a sentence.

His tearful mother, Candy Midtlyng, described her son as a hard worker who excelled at both track and field and football.

“I have shoe boxes full of medals,” she said, describing track records that he broke in middle school and high school in Rhode Island, New Jersey and on Long Island.

His sister, Vanessa Midtlyng, who also spoke at the sentencing, said she used to make fun of her brother’s speed.

“I jokingly called him bullet; I never thought that he would be killed by one,” she told the court.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Colthirst and three other men, whose cases are still pending, beckoned Kyle Midtlyng to meet at an address on Alexander Avenue in Uniondale to buy marijuana. When Colthirst got to the car, he attempted to rob Midtlyng at gunpoint, but ended up shooting him, prosecutors said.

The bullet pierced both his lungs and his heart, the district attorney said.

Midtlyng, a star Uniondale High School football player in his day and all-around athlete, stumbled out of his car and died at the scene.

Investigators found a bullet casing in his car and blood that traced back to Colthirst, prosecutors said.

“Kyle Colthirst hatched a plan to rob Kyle Midtlyng, luring the victim to Alexander Avenue and lying in wait for him to arrive,” Donnelly said. “Colthirst’s setup took a deadly turn when he pulled out a loaded gun and fired, fatally striking Kyle Midtlyng.”

Mother and sister recalled how Midtlyng worked throughout high school in an auto body shop, a Dunkin’ Donuts, a gas station and even made extra money selling printed T-shirts.

“I don’t know how he had time to do so much,” his mother said. “He did his best for all of us.”

His father, Russell Midtlyng, said sometimes the pain of losing him is too great to bear.

“I have pictures of him up in my place and some days I have to turn the pictures over to keep from looking at them,” he said after the hearing.

The grieving family had harsh words for Colthirst.

“You are a stalker, a predator and now you are a murderer,” Candy Midtlyng told him. “You will have these titles for the rest of your life. You shame those around you. You shame those in Uniondale. You shame this community.”

Assistant District Attorney Tracy Keeton drew on the parallel between the victim and the defendant.

“There are two Kyles in this case, but besides their names, they couldn’t be more different. [Kyle Midtlyng] was talented, kind, loved, and he will be missed,” she said before turning to the accused man. “This Kyle is violent, callous, and has no regard for human life.”

Defense attorney Doug Rankin said he filed a motion to set aside the verdict. Judge Tammy Robbins denied the motion. Rankin said he would appeal the conviction.