LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A person who took half in a taking pictures spree, killing a 22-year-old man within the course of, will possible spend the remainder of his life in jail after a choose sentenced him Friday to a minimal of 100 years.
Christopher McDonnell, 32, pleaded responsible however mentally sick to greater than 20 felonies stemming from the Thanksgiving 2020 shootings and homicide, paperwork mentioned. Christopher McDonnell, his brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34; and Shawn McDonnell’s then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, initially confronted dozens of fees.
The trio, who have been visiting from Texas, drove round Henderson and randomly shot at individuals, killing Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, at a 7-Eleven on Lake Mead Parkway, prosecutors mentioned. The group then continued into Arizona, the place there have been extra shootings, together with one involving a police officer. All three have been arrested after their automotive rolled over.
Christopher McDonnell’s attorneys requested for a minimal sentence of 21 years, mentioning his battles with psychological sickness since childhood.
Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, died within the taking pictures in Henderson on Nov. 26, 2020. (Mendiola household)
“I take full responsibility for my own wrongdoings, and I appreciate the court’s for administering justice,” Christopher McDonnell mentioned in a quick assertion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crime that’s terrorized our community in the way that this crime has terrorized our community,” Chief Deputy District Lawyer Michael Schwartzer mentioned.
In court docket Friday, prosecutors mentioned Christopher McDonnell randomly fired at individuals, resulting in Mendiola’s dying. Kevin Mendiola’s girlfriend, Jayde Libby; and his brother, Christevin Mendiola, have been additionally shot. Kevin Mendiola shielded Libby from the gunfire, the household informed the court docket.
“He was a hero that night and now, he’s our angel,” Kevin Mendiola Sr. informed the court docket.
Mendiola’s household requested Clark County District Court docket Decide Tierra Jones to condemn Christopher McDonnell to the utmost penalty. After listening to from six audio system, Jones sentenced him to a minimal of 100 years in jail, which means ought to he nonetheless be alive, he can be eligible for parole in 2120 with credit score for time served.
“He did the most heroic thing one could ever do,” Libby mentioned. “He saved me, and I’ll never know why.”
The Mendiola and Libby households informed Jones how Christopher McDonnell’s actions would have an effect on them each Thanksgiving and every single day.
“The hurt, the pain, the guilt and the stress that these three individuals put on my family,” Christevin Mendiola mentioned. “Our lives will never be the same after this.”
“I struggle every day with my own life, knowing I have to live in our lives,” Kevin Mendiola Sr. mentioned.
Jones agreed there can be no winners strolling out of her courtroom, including Christopher McDonnell’s crime highlighted a necessity for higher psychological well being.
“What can the court do to ensure that there’s not going to be other victims?” she mentioned. “That there’s not going someone else who has to suffer the loss from all the people that I’ve heard from today.”
Shawn McDonnell and Lewis have been awaiting trial. Lewis was in court docket Friday, however her listening to was sealed, nonetheless, a sentencing date was scheduled for June. It was not instantly clear what occurred in the course of the listening to or what led to the date to be scheduled.
In 2022, Lewis’ legal professionals requested a choose to disjoin her case from the 2 others. Lewis’ legal professionals alleged their consumer was the sufferer of home violence, noting a black eye seen in her reserving photograph. She later filed for divorce from jail.
Prosecutors mentioned Lewis was the motive force as the 2 brothers fired indiscriminately out of the automobile’s home windows.
