Plea Agreement Reached in Thanksgiving 2020 Shooting Spree
Christopher McDonnell, one of three suspects involved in a deadly 2020 two-state shooting rampage, has pleaded guilty to 23 felony charges. The charges include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and various weapon violations. McDonnell’s plea comes ahead of what was supposed to be a lengthy trial, initially scheduled for next month.
The shooting spree, which occurred on Thanksgiving Day 2020, spanned Nevada and Arizona, killing one man at a convenience store in Henderson, Nevada, and wounding several others in random drive-by shootings. The rampage ended in a shootout with law enforcement near Parker, Arizona.
Dropped Charges and Potential Sentencing
McDonnell, 32, was initially indicted on 55 charges, including a count of committing an act of terrorism. However, as part of his plea agreement, the terrorism charge was dropped. According to court records, McDonnell will face life in prison, with a parole eligibility range from a minimum of 21 years to a maximum of 164 years. Prosecutor Michael Schwartzer indicated that he would seek a sentence exceeding McDonnell’s natural life.
Sentencing is set for December 13, with McDonnell’s attorney, Ryan Bashor, expressing hope for a more lenient outcome.
Involvement of Other Suspects
McDonnell’s guilty plea does not require him to testify against his co-defendants — his older brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34, and his ex-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29. Both are set to face a jury trial starting November 4.
Shawn McDonnell faces 54 felony charges, including committing an act of terrorism and could face the death penalty if convicted. Meanwhile, Kayleigh Lewis faces 53 felony charges but is not eligible for the death penalty. Both remain in custody without bail.
The 2020 Rampage
The deadly shooting spree began on November 26, 2020, spanning 11 hours and crossing state lines. The violence started with the fatal shooting of Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a Henderson convenience store and continued with drive-by shootings that wounded several others. The rampage ended with a police chase, a car crash, and a shootout near Parker, Arizona, during which Shawn McDonnell was injured by law enforcement.
The three suspects, originally from Tyler, Texas, were extradited to Las Vegas after their arrest, and a grand jury indicted them in March 2021.
