McKinley Cornish

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A Quantico man who shot his teenage stepdaughter eight times during a violent outburst over his failing marriage will spend the next half-century behind bars, according to the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.

McKinley Cornish, 71, was sentenced in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County to 50 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting of his stepdaughter.

The attack happened on June 24, 2024, when Cornish—angry over his marriage ending—kicked down the door to his 19-year-old stepdaughter’s bedroom in Quantico, according to officials.

Moments earlier, the teen had called 911 after overhearing Cornish make disturbing statements, prosecutors said.

While she was still on the line with dispatchers, Cornish fired a shot into the wall and threatened to shoot her next.

Despite her desperate pleas for her life, Cornish opened fire, hitting her approximately eight times in the arm, shoulder, stomach, and legs, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Incredibly, the victim survived the attack.

Cornish fled the scene with the gun and was arrested the next day in Franklin City, Virginia, investigators said.

He was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior criminal convictions, they noted.

Specifically, Cornish was convicted in September following a three-day trial of: 

  • First-degree attempted murder;
  • Firearm use in a crime of violence;
  • Illegal possession of a regulated firearm;
  • Related offenses.

“The victim will forever be scarred by Cornish’s actions, but should never have to fear for her safety again,” Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes said. 

“A firm sentence like the one imposed in this case shows the community that gun violence, particularly by those who are prohibited from possession of firearms, will not be tolerated in Wicomico County.”