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The crime originally committed on November 26, 2020, involved a violent two-state shooting spree that started in Henderson, Nevada, and continued into Arizona. On November 26, 2020, a tragic shooting occurred in Henderson, Nevada, leaving one person dead and four others injured. Henderson police responded to a shooting report around 12:54 a.m. and found a 22-year-old man fatally shot, along with four wounded victims: three men aged 18, 53, and 41, and a 23-year-old woman.
Police arrested three suspects—brothers Shawn and Christopher McDonnell, and Kayleigh Lewis—after a string of random shootings killed 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a convenience store and injured three others. The suspects allegedly targeted random motorists on highways and roads in the southern Nevada area, with additional shootings occurring on U.S. 95 near Parker, Arizona.
How They Were Captured
Later that day, Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers received reports of a dark-colored car, matching the description of the suspects’ vehicle, involved in further shootings near Parker, Arizona. Troopers attempted to pull over the car, which eventually rolled over. Arizona state troopers ordered the suspects out of the vehicle. During the confrontation, Shawn McDonnell reportedly pointed a handgun at the troopers, prompting them to shoot and wound him.
Authorities found three handguns, machete-style knives, and a baseball bat in the wrecked vehicle. This random and unprovoked violence shocked the community and raised concerns about the potential for hate crime charges due to Christopher McDonnell’s statement to investigators, indicating that his brother had directed him to “shoot the Black guy” and referenced an “upcoming war.
Evidence Presented To A Grand Jury
The evidence presented to the grand jury before the indictment of Shawn McDonnell, Christopher McDonnell, and Kayleigh Lewis was both compelling and harrowing, showcasing the severity of their actions during the Thanksgiving 2020 shooting spree that spanned Nevada and Arizona. This evidence, which included videos, photos, and witness testimonies, played a crucial role in securing the trio’s indictment on more than 50 charges each, including murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.
A Ring Camera Video Captured The Sound Of Chaos
A nearby Ring camera captured one of the most chilling pieces of evidence: a video recording the sound of gunshots during the deadly 7-Eleven shooting in Henderson, Nevada. Played for the grand jury, this video highlighted the terror and randomness of the attacks. Witnesses reported hearing one of the suspects, believed to be Shawn McDonnell, shouting, “I am God” while firing his weapon.
This disturbing declaration of superiority and madness underscored the crime’s reckless and cold-blooded nature. One witness, who McDonnell shot multiple times during the attack, recounted hearing him shout, “I’m God, and you’re not,” just before he shot and killed her boyfriend, Kevin Mendiola Jr., as he tried to protect her. Her emotional testimony about watching her boyfriend stop breathing created a poignant and heartbreaking moment in the proceedings.
Witnesses Were Able To Identify The Shooter
The prosecution showed additional videos to the grand jury, documenting the suspects’ movements. In one video, Christopher McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis entered the 7-Eleven just minutes before the first shooting erupted in the parking lot.
Witnesses were able to identify Christopher McDonnell by his distinct facial tattoos, which further linked him to the crimes. These videos, combined with the witness testimonies, provided clear evidence of the suspects’ involvement in the shootings.
Prosecutors Prepared Photos For Evidence
Prosecutors also presented dozens of photos that depicted the aftermath of the rampage: bullet-ridden cars, shattered glass, and the injuries suffered by the victims. These images brought the violence of the attacks into stark relief, showing the indiscriminate nature of the shootings as the suspects drove around, targeting random victims. Witnesses described how the suspects’ black Toyota Camry would either slow down or speed up to drive alongside other vehicles, with one of the suspects hanging out of the car to shoot at innocent bystanders.
The Death Penalty Is Under Reviewed
The combination of video evidence, photos, and witness statements painted a vivid picture of the terror inflicted on the victims during the spree. The grand jury, after reviewing this mountain of evidence, indicted the trio on charges that could result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The severity of the crimes also prompted the submission of the case to the Death Penalty Assessment Committee for further review, as the prosecutors are seeking the most serious consequences for the defendants’ actions.
The Official Indictment
In March 2021, a Las Vegas grand jury officially indicted Shawn McDonnell, Christopher McDonnell, and Kayleigh Lewis, all from Texas, for their involvement in a series of random shootings over 11 hours on Thanksgiving in 2020.
Each Charged With 53 Counts
The grand jury indicted each of them on 53 counts, including murder, terrorism, and attempted murder. These charges stemmed from a shooting spree that spanned southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, resulting in the death of 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a convenience store in Henderson, Nevada, and injuries to multiple others.
Potential Terrorism Charges
The charges against the trio are severe, including potential terrorism charges for their random attacks aimed at causing widespread fear and harm. Prosecutors explained that the attacks targeted no specific individuals but aimed to inflict terror on the general public, justifying the terrorism charges. The group is also facing charges that could lead to the death penalty or multiple life sentences without parole.
Specific Additional Charges Given Out
Arizona state troopers additionally charged Shawn McDonnell, 31, with resisting arrest after they shot and wounded him when he allegedly pointed a gun at them during the final confrontation in La Paz County, Arizona. They charged Christopher McDonnell, 29, with being a felon in possession of a firearm due to his prior felony conviction for assault in Texas in 2018.
Defense attorneys for all three suspects have indicated that they plan to fight the charges, and Kayleigh Lewis’s attorney suggested that more information would emerge during the trial that could affect the case. The prosecution, led by Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, has emphasized the gravity of the crimes and is pursuing the most serious charges possible. Prosecutors are utilizing a “long-arm jurisdiction” doctrine to handle the prosecution in Nevada, despite some of the crimes occurring in Arizona.
What Is A Long-Arm Jurisdiction?
Long-arm jurisdiction refers to a legal doctrine that allows a court in one state to exercise personal jurisdiction over a defendant who is not physically present within that state but has sufficient minimum contacts with the state to justify such jurisdiction. This principle is particularly important in cases involving individuals or businesses that have committed actions in one state but have caused harm or engaged in activities that affect another state. The doctrine ensures that a court can hold these out-of-state defendants accountable without them having to be physically present in the state where the lawsuit is filed.
The Courts Reach
The term “long-arm” reflects the court’s ability to extend its reach beyond its geographical boundaries. The justification for exercising long-arm jurisdiction typically depends on the defendant’s connections to the state, which can include conducting business, committing a tort (a civil wrong), owning property, or causing harm within the state. The most famous application of long-arm jurisdiction arose from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case International Shoe Co. v. Washington (1945), where the Court established that a defendant must have “minimum contacts” with the state for jurisdiction to be reasonable and fair.
They Vary By State But Share Common Prerequisites
Long-arm statutes vary by state, but they often share common criteria for when jurisdiction can be asserted. These statutes specify the types of actions that justify pulling an out-of-state defendant into the jurisdiction of a local court, such as engaging in business transactions or committing a wrongful act that causes injury within the state.
In criminal cases, long-arm jurisdiction is particularly useful when a crime spans multiple states, as seen in the Nevada-Arizona shooting spree in 2020. Prosecutors used this principle to prosecute the suspects in Nevada for crimes committed across state lines in Arizona. It allows the legal system to address complex, multi-state actions effectively and ensures that defendants cannot evade justice simply by crossing state borders.
Lawyers Ask To Disjoin Kayleigh Lewis Case
Kayleigh Lewis’s defense attorneys are seeking to have her case disjoined, or separated, from that of her now ex-husband, Shawn McDonnell, and her brother-in-law, Christopher McDonnell, in the upcoming trial related to the deadly Nevada-Arizona shooting spree that occurred the day after Thanksgiving in 2020. This request for a separate trial is rooted in Lewis’s claims of being a victim of domestic violence and her attorneys’ concerns about the legal complications tied to her co-defendants’ cases, particularly given the uncertainty around when Shawn McDonnell’s trial will take place due to his mental competency issues.
What Disjoining A Case Means
Disjoining or severing a case means that Lewis’s trial would be conducted independently of her now ex-husband and brother-in-law, allowing the court to evaluate her actions in isolation, rather than in conjunction with the others. Her defense team is arguing that trying her alongside her co-defendants could unfairly implicate her due to their actions, especially given the allegations of domestic abuse. By claiming that she was a victim of domestic violence, Lewis’s attorneys aim to suggest that her participation in the crime spree was influenced by coercion or fear of her husband and that her role was more passive, possibly as the driver, as Christopher McDonnell has stated.
One Reason To Disjoin
One of the key reasons for seeking the separation of cases is the uncertainty regarding the timeline for Shawn McDonnell’s trial, as he has been found incompetent to stand trial and remains under the custody of the Department of Public and Behavioral Health. A delay in Shawn’s trial could unnecessarily prolong Lewis’s trial, leaving her in legal limbo. By severing her case, Lewis could face a more expedient trial and potentially argue that she was not fully responsible for the actions carried out during the shooting spree.
Prosecutors Push Against It
However, prosecutors have pushed back against the domestic violence defense, arguing that it has little bearing on the terroristic and violent nature of the crimes. They assert that the evidence, including videos showing Lewis holding a firearm before the Henderson shooting, contradicts the defense’s claims that she was a victim rather than an active participant. Prosecutors also noted that there is insufficient evidence to link Lewis’s alleged black eye to the domestic violence she claims occurred during the events.
A New Development In The Case
Christopher McDonnell, one of the three individuals involved in the deadly 2020 Nevada-Arizona Thanksgiving shooting spree, recently took a plea agreement, significantly altering the course of his legal proceedings. McDonnell, who had originally faced 55 felony charges, including murder, attempted murder, and acts of terrorism, pleaded guilty to 23 felonies. These charges include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of a firearm, reflecting his direct involvement in the violent rampage that spanned two states. As part of the plea deal, a charge of committing an act of terrorism was dropped, marking a key element in the agreement that will potentially reduce his sentence.
The Plea Deal Was In His Best Interest
McDonnell’s decision to plead guilty was influenced by the overwhelming evidence presented against him and the severe nature of the charges. His attorney, Ryan Bashor, explained that McDonnell chose to take responsibility for his actions, believing that accepting the plea deal was in his best interest. This agreement ensures that he will avoid the death penalty, but he will still face a life sentence. His parole eligibility will range from a minimum of 21 years to a maximum of 164 years, depending on the sentencing. Prosecutors have indicated that they will seek a sentence that extends beyond McDonnell’s natural life.
He Does Not Have To Testify
Importantly, the plea agreement does not require Christopher McDonnell to testify in the upcoming trial of his brother, Shawn McDonnell, and his former wife, Kayleigh Lewis, both of whom face over 50 felony charges each, including acts of terrorism. Their trials are scheduled to begin in November 2024, and Shawn McDonnell could still face the death penalty if convicted.
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FAQs on the Nevada-Arizona Shooting Spree Case
Long-arm jurisdiction allows a court in one state to exercise legal power over an individual or entity outside its geographic borders if they have sufficient connections or activities in the state.
Her attorney argued that being tried separately would allow for a fairer assessment of her involvement, as her actions might have been influenced by domestic violence, and her role was reportedly different from that of her co-defendants.
Kayleigh Lewis faces 43 felony charges, including murder and attempted murder, stemming from the Nevada-Arizona shooting spree.
Prosecutors presented videos, photos, and witness testimonies that showed Lewis holding a firearm and other evidence linking her to the crimes.
Yes, the case has been submitted for a death penalty review, and if convicted, the defendants could face life sentences without parole or the death penalty, depending on the outcome.
