One of three criminals involved in crime spree in Nevada and Arizona that left 1 dead and 1 injured pleads guilty

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One of three people accused in a crime spree across the state that left one person dead and several others injured pleaded guilty Thursday and could spend the rest of their life in prison.

Christopher McDonnell, 32, pleaded guilty to 23 felonies stemming from the 2020 Thanksgiving shooting, documents show. Christopher McDonnell, his brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34; and Shawn McDonnell’s wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, initially faced dozens of charges.

The trio is accused of driving around Henderson and randomly shooting people, killing Kevin Mendiola Jr. at a 7-Eleven on Lake Mead Parkway. They then traveled to Arizona, where more shootings occurred, including one involving a police officer. All three were arrested after their car overturned.

A jury trial for all three defendants was scheduled to begin November 4. That trial remained scheduled for Shawn McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis on Thursday.

In 2022, Lewis’ lawyers asked a judge to sever his case from the other two. Lewis’ lawyers alleged their client was the victim of domestic violence, noting a black eye visible in his booking photo. She later filed for divorce after being imprisoned.

Christopher McDonnell’s plea did not include a specific period of time during which he agreed to serve prison time. A judge will sentence him in December.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit KLAS.