A judge gave a 12-year-old boy on Wednesday the maximum sentence for a shooting he committed in a New Mexico middle school earlier this year.

The decision followed a day-long trial where defendant Mason Campbell - now 13 years old - was ordered by State District Judge Freddie Romero to be held in custody for eight years until he turns 21.

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In May, the boy pleaded no contest to "three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of carrying a firearm on school premises," the Associated Press said.

According to local authorities, Campbell brought a custom shotgun to Berrendo Middle School in New Mexico on January 14 and opened fire at the students at the school gym.

During the trial, Campbell's lawyers argued that he had been a victim of constant bullying and is still emotionally and socially immature. They requested that the boy get treatment for two years and then released after once he is no longer considered a danger by doctors.

The prosecutors, on the other hand, sought the maximum sentence and presented the side of the two students injured during the January 14 shooting.

"It's a miracle that I'm alive right now," said 12-year-old Nathaniel Tavarez, who suffered injuries in the head, face, chest and heart.

"My vision is still seriously impaired, but there is hope. I have conquered many things the doctors said I never would," he said.

Kendal Sanders, 13, was shot in the shoulder and wrote a statement that was read by special prosecutor Matt Chandler.

According to the statement, she had retained more than 150 lead pellets in her body that often made her feel tired because of lead poisoning.

"I have to see those scars every single day for the rest of my life," the statement read.

Campbell had expressed deep regret over his crime and apologized.

"I'm very, very sorry," he told Tavarez and Sanders.

Aside from Tavarez and Sanders, the Associated Press noted that school security guard Kevin Hayes was also hurt during the incident.

Tagsschool shooting, crimes of minors, juvenile detention, juvenile delinquency, Mason Campbell, Nathaniel Tavarez, Kendal Sanders, Matt Chandler, Freddie Romero, Berrendo Middle School