A Texas man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of his involvement in a violent shooting spree that spanned two states during Thanksgiving 2020. Christopher McDonnell, aged 32, received a sentence of 100 years in prison for a series of crimes that included murder, attempted murder, and an array of weapon-related offenses, as well as being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
In October, McDonnell entered a guilty plea to over 20 felony counts connected to the incident, which led a Clark County District Judge, Tierra Jones, to impose the significant sentence. According to reports, McDonnell will have the opportunity for parole in the year 2120, contingent on surviving the lengthy term while also receiving credit for the time he has already served.
The chaotic events that unfolded involved McDonnell, his brother Shawn, who is 34, and Shawn’s then-wife, 29-year-old Kayleigh Lewis. Initially, the trio was faced with a large number of charges, stemming from their perpetration of an 11-hour crime spree that commenced on November 26, 2020. This rampage consisted of indiscriminate gunfire that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a convenience store in Henderson, located near Las Vegas. Numerous other individuals were also injured during their shooting assaults.
The violent episode progressed into Arizona, where they committed further shootings, including an encounter with law enforcement. Their criminal activities concluded after law enforcement intervened, leading to their arrest when their vehicle overturned. Reports indicate that Lewis was driving the vehicle while the two brothers fired weapons out of the windows, creating chaos in their wake.
Ultimately, the harrowing events came to a stop near Parker, Arizona, close to the Colorado River. This followed a police chase involving the Arizona Department of Public Safety, during which a Texas-registered vehicle was wrecked, and Shawn McDonnell sustained injuries due to gunfire from troopers using assault-style rifles. Both Shawn McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis are currently awaiting their day in court regarding their involvement in these violent acts.
