LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One of three people accused in a string of crimes, stretching from Texas to Arizona and Nevada made his initial court appearance Tuesday morning in Henderson.
Christopher McDonnell, 28, made his first appearance in Henderson Justice Court for his arraignment. He and two others, Shawn McDonnell and Kayleigh Lewis, are accused of driving around Henderson and randomly shooting at people, killing 22-year-old Kevin Mendiola Junior at a 7-Eleven on Thanksgiving Day.
McDonnell appeared in court via video conference to hear the charges against him. According to court documents, he is facing 20 charges including murder, attempted murder and battery with substantial bodily harm.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Schwartzer said prosecutors are looking at additional charges including terrorism and hate crime enhancements based on statements from witnesses. He said there were five shootings in Nevada and at least 10 victims in Nevada who were shot or shot at.
McDonnell is currently on parole until Feb. 2021 for a felony conviction of 3rd degree assault on a family member in Texas.
After Mendiola was killed, the three shooting suspects fled to Arizona where there were additional shootings including one involving an officer. All three were arrested there.
