Man Sentenced to 100 Years in Prison for Two-State Shooting Rampage That Killed One, Injured Many

A Texas man was sentenced to 100 years in prison for his involvement in a two-state shooting spree that left one person dead and others wounded. Christopher McDonnell, 32, was sentenced on December 13 by Clark County District Judge Tierra Jones after pleading guilty in October to over 20 felonies, including murder, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, weapon charges, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

McDonnell’s crime spree, which began on Thanksgiving Day 2020, spanned Nevada and Arizona. The rampage began in Henderson, Nevada, where McDonnell and his accomplices, including his brother Shawn McDonnell and Shawn’s wife, Kayleigh Lewis, shot and killed 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a convenience store. The group then continued their attack with drive-by shootings that wounded several others.

The trio’s violent journey ended after a police chase in Arizona. During the pursuit near Parker, Arizona, their vehicle, which had a Texas license plate, crashed after being hit by gunfire from officers. Shawn McDonnell was injured during the confrontation. The group was arrested, and while Christopher McDonnell was sentenced, his brother and Lewis are still awaiting trial.

If McDonnell is alive in 2120, he will be eligible for parole, with credit for time served.