A Lincoln teenager has been sentenced to probation in connection with the fatal shooting of his older brother on Christmas Eve last year. On Wednesday, Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong ordered 17-year-old Kentrail McDaniel to serve 60 months of probation after he pleaded no contest to manslaughter in September. Prosecutors also moved to dismiss an accompanying firearm charge.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on December 24th, 2024, when McDaniel — then 16 — and his brother, 20-year-old Johnathan McCray, arrived separately at their mother’s apartment complex near North 14th and Superior Streets. According to police reports, McDaniel said he saw a masked figure after he parked and, fearing for his safety, opened fire with an assault-style rifle. The person he shot turned out to be his brother. Investigators said McDaniel fired at least 15 rounds, two of which struck and killed McCray.
Judge Strong found McDaniel guilty earlier this year, with the charge carrying a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. At sentencing, defense attorney James Scarff said McDaniel had been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the shooting and was suffering from PTSD and ADHD. Scarff emphasized that since March, McDaniel has remained drug-free, attended therapy, and excelled at both school and work. Letters of support from more than a dozen community members, including his high school principal, were submitted to the court.
Scarff also highlighted the emotional toll the case has taken on the family, noting that McDaniel had relied on his brother for protection and was devastated by the tragedy. Prosecutors acknowledged the difficulty of the case, calling the shooting intentional rather than accidental, but did not oppose probation.
Judge Strong said determining justice in such a situation was “extremely challenging,” adding that prison time would not serve McDaniel or the community. She noted his remorse, progress, and strong family support as factors in the decision.
The courtroom was filled with grieving family members and friends as the sentence was delivered. Strong told McDaniel that had the victim not been his brother, the outcome would likely have been much different, but she believed he has shown he understands the seriousness of the loss and is capable of moving forward productively.
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