Trump supporter Michael McKinney, 26, of St. Charles was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder and other crimes after he opened fire at a crowd after a rally for then-President Donald Trump, injuring a 15-year-old black girl.
The incident occurred on December 6 in the parking lot of a state office building just east of the Iowa Capitol. It followed a rally on the city’s south side organized by Trump supporters who believed that Trump had rightfully won November’s election. Minnesota entrepreneur Mike Lindell, a major advocate of the so-called “Stop the Steal” movement, was among the speakers, according to the Des Moines Register.
After the rally, some supporters formed a parade to the Capitol complex. According to search warrants filed afterward by police, four juveniles in another car traveled along with the parade, exchanging profanities.
When the parade ended, according to the report, the teens in their car became surrounded in the parking lot by vocal Trump supporters, and reversed and struck a pickup truck behind them.
At that point, McKinney, an army veteran who police say was wearing body armor and carrying several firearms, approached and shot into the car, striking the girl in the leg. He later told police he “shot because he felt he was in danger and was protecting himself,” according to a search warrant.
McKinney was arrested at the scene and pleaded guilty in June to two charges: intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and willful injury. Both carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, and the first charge must carry a sentence of prison time, rather than probation or being deferred, under Iowa law.
Prosecutors asked Judge Scott Beattie to make the two terms consecutive, for a total maximum of 20 years.
In a statement read to the court, the victim described the physical and mental scars she carries 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, adding later “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 Dec. 6, 2020.”
McKinney, who has been in custody since his arrest, also addressed the court, apologizing to the victim and saying he wished he could undo what had happened.
“I used poor judgment on this matter,” he said. “I want to truly and deeply express how sorry I am.”
The judge noted McKinney’s complete lack of criminal history and honorable discharge from the military as among the facts weighing in his favor. Beattie chose to make the two sentences run concurrently, for a total maximum of 10 years. There is no mandatory minimum to serve before McKinney becomes eligible for parole.
