A security guard from Las Vegas has been sentenced to five to 14 years in prison following the fatal shooting of a customer outside a 7-Eleven during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kegia Mitchell expressed sorrow in court on Thursday, apologizing after entering an Alford plea related to the death of 56-year-old Thomas Martin in August 2020. “I had no intention of taking this man’s life,” she said, visibly emotional. “I’m really sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
This plea means she isn’t admitting guilt to murder, although prosecutors noted they have enough evidence for a potential conviction.
On August 26th, while managing customer limits at the store in northeastern Las Vegas, Martin attempted to enter but was denied access by Mitchell. He became frustrated as she allowed others to pass through.
The situation escalated, with Martin and other individuals confronting Mitchell before entering the store. Security footage shows the confrontation leading to both parties drawing their guns, with Mitchell pointing hers at Martin.
As tensions rose, Martin tried to wrest the weapon from Mitchell’s grasp, resulting in the gun firing. It was reported that Mitchell had previously struggled with firearm safety training and received her gun as a Mother’s Day gift.
She was originally charged with open murder but was later faced with charges of murder using a deadly weapon. After signing the Alford plea in April, those charges were reduced to involuntary manslaughter.
Tragically, Martin had been looking forward to meeting his new granddaughter when he was killed. His son Brandon reflected on the heartbreaking timing, expressing regret after having planned to introduce her to him.
Mitchell’s defense team argued for leniency, pointing to the pressures of enforcing pandemic regulations. However, prosecutors accused her of abusing her position and referenced a different incident where she had treated customers aggressively just weeks before Martin’s death.
Judge Tierra Jones stated that the case was complex, emphasizing that the location of the shooting—outside the store—was a significant factor to consider.
Brandon Martin felt a sense of justice following the sentence. He acknowledged the loss of his father would always remain painful, but he found some solace in the outcome of the trial, expressing his grief and longing for his father on social media.
