In the early morning hours of October 11, 2016, the life of 22-year-old Rontavious M. McKinley was tragically cut short in a violent home invasion in Milan, Tennessee. McKinley was at home with his girlfriend when two men forced their way inside and opened fire. McKinley was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend was also shot 11 times but miraculously survived her critical injuries after undergoing multiple surgeries.
The investigation into the deadly
shooting revealed that one of the assailants, Uel Pearson, had been at the residence earlier in the day visiting his own girlfriend, who also lived there. A heated argument erupted between Pearson and McKinley before Pearson left the home. Later that night, Pearson returned with a codefendant, Lillo Harrell, both with their faces covered, and carried out the brutal attack.
Following an investigation, both Pearson and Harrell were apprehended and faced legal proceedings. Lillo Harrell, 34, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with additional time for a probation violation. Uel Pearson, 40, was convicted by a jury on counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. For the murder of Rontavious McKinley, the judge handed down an automatic sentence of life in prison.
