An Omaha man was found guilty on Friday of manslaughter for the accidental killing of his 10-year-old son.
Will McDonald, 47, pleaded no contest to manslaughter and guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed an additional firearm charge.
Last Thanksgiving night, according to Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, McDonald heard a car alarm sound outside his home near 31st and Myrtle Avenues. McDonald exited the home and saw someone standing by the car, and he went to retrieve a gun.
As McDonald watched a dark figure approach the house, he fired one shot from the porch. It was only then that he realized the figure approaching the home was his son, Kendrick McDonald.
The bullet struck the 108-pound, 4-foot-11-inch fourth-grader in the left arm before piercing his chest. Kendrick McDonald was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died. His cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest.
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Kleine said on Friday that Will McDonald hid the gun after the shooting. It was later recovered, and a single shell casing was found on the front porch.
Will McDonald was initially charged with manslaughter, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possessing a firearm as a felon-second offense. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed the use of a firearm charge and charged the felon in possession count as a first offense.
In the 1990s, Will McDonald was convicted of felony burglary and theft by unlawful taking, making him unable to possess a firearm legally. He was charged in 2005 with possessing a firearm as a felon and was sentenced to probation.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 12. Will McDonald will face a mandatory minimum of three years in prison and a maximum of 70 years — zero to 20 years on the manslaughter charge, and three to 50 on the firearm possession charge.
In a GoFundMe set up for the family after the killing, Kendrick McDonald’s aunt wrote that he was an active, funny kid who loved to make people laugh.
“Every day he told us to have a great day and do great things and to be safe before we dropped him off at school,†the says. “He was amazing at math and so very smart.â€