A Las Vegas judge sentenced Christopher McDonnell, a 32-year-old Texas man, to 100 years in prison for a deadly two-state shooting rampage that began in Nevada and ended in Arizona on Thanksgiving Day 2020.
A Violent 11-Hour Rampage
McDonnell, originally from Tyler, Texas, pleaded guilty to over 20 felony charges, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy. The rampage began in Henderson, Nevada, where 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Jr. was fatally shot at a convenience store. The spree continued with drive-by shootings that injured multiple people before crossing into Arizona.
Sentencing and Eligibility for Parole
Clark County District Judge Tierra Jones sentenced McDonnell on Friday to a minimum of 100 years in prison. If he is still alive by 2120, he could be eligible for parole, receiving credit for time served since his arrest.
Role of Accomplices
McDonnell was joined during the spree by his older brother, 34-year-old Shawn McDonnell, and Shawn’s then-wife, 29-year-old Kayleigh Lewis. Prosecutors say Lewis drove the vehicle as the McDonnell brothers fired indiscriminately from the windows.
Both Shawn McDonnell and Lewis face numerous charges and are awaiting trial.
Arizona Shootout and Arrest
The group’s violent spree ended near Parker, Arizona, after a high-speed chase with officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Their car, displaying a Texas license plate, crashed near the Colorado River. During the confrontation, Shawn McDonnell was shot and injured by law enforcement officers armed with assault rifles.
Awaiting Justice
While Christopher McDonnell’s sentence brings some closure, the trials of Shawn McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis are expected to shed further light on the motivations behind the attack and the extent of their roles in the deadly rampage.
