RALEIGH -- A white man who shot an unarmed black man after reporting "hoodlums'' in his Raleigh neighborhood has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Thursday, 40-year-old Chad Copley was found guilty of premeditated murder in the death of 20-year-old Kouren-Rodney Thomas, who was attending a party near Copley's home on Singleleaf Lane.

On the stand, Copley admitted to fatally shooting Thomas but said he was scared and fired in self-defense.

Before the judge issued the sentence Friday morning, Thomas' mother, Simone Butler Thomas, and other family members spoke in court.

Simone Butler Thomas carried her son’s ashes into court with her. She said she's happy to see Kouren's positive image restored.

"My family can be at peace,” she said. “My baby can finally rest because he was all over this place. His name is cleared. He's not a hoodlum. He's not a gangbanger. And I'm glad that justice was served."

The judge asked Copley if he would like to speak in court during the sentencing but Copley declined.

Copley will appeal.