A supporter of former President Donald Trump has been sentenced to prison for shooting and injuring a black teenage girl during a pro-Trump rally. Michael McKinney, 26, was charged with attempted murder and other crimes in the December 6 incident in which a 15-year-old girl was hit in the leg.
McKinney had told police that he fired as a means of protecting himself from counter-protesters in the east side of the Iowa capitol. McKinney said he ‘shot because he felt he was in danger and was protecting himself’, according to a search warrant.
The teenage victim was exchanging insults with pro-Trump rally-goers and standing in the car’s open sunroof when a bullet suddenly struck her leg.
Prosecutor Olu Salami last Friday said the situation could have turned out far worse.
‘Had she been seated, rather than standing, she could have been 16 and forever remained 16,’ Salami said, according to the Des Moines Register.
On Monday, McKinney pleaded guilty to lesser offenses during his sentencing hearing.
McKinney in June faced two charges: intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury. Both crimes carry a sentence of 10 years under Iowa law, and prosecutors wanted McKinney to serve two consecutive terms, for potentially 20 years in prison.
A statement read in court detailed the victim’s physical and mental anguish from the shooting.
‘I believed I was going to die the day I was shot. I didn’t know if I would be able to walk again,’ she wrote. Later, she added, ‘I’m a 16-year-old young lady and would love to love myself, but it’s hard when I look at my scars and remember the events of December 6, 2020.’
McKinney apologized to the victim and said he wished he could take back his actions.
‘I used poor judgment on this matter,’ McKinney said. ‘I want to truly and deeply express how sorry I am.’
Judge Scott Beattie said that McKinney having no criminal history and his honorable discharge from the military worked in his favor.
‘I will be quite honest: I’m still perplexed as to how this happened,’ Beattie said. ‘I understand you’ve taken responsibility for it, and that’s an important factor.’
McKinney will serve the two sentences concurrently, totalling no more than 10 years. He does not have a mandatory minimum in order to qualify for parole.
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