Lawrence Killer Who Fired at Police in 100-MPH Chase Gets Life in Prison

A Douglas County District Court judge sentenced Rodney Marshall to two consecutive Hard 50 life sentences followed by consecutive multiple-year terms for gunning down two people at separate homes in Lawrence in July 2022, then leading police on a high-speed chase during which he fired a handgun out of his truck window at pursuing officers. The sentencing was the latest development in the case.

Marshall fatally shot 52-year-old Shelby McCoy at an apartment at 1115 Tennessee Street on July 31, 2022, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. He then rode a moped across town while wearing a disguise and fatally shot 43-year-old William D. O'Brien at 325 Northwood Lane, the outlet reported. KSHB 41 Kansas City also reported on the sentencing.

After the shootings, police staged a stakeout at Marshall's central Lawrence residence, which led to a pursuit that reached 100 mph on Kansas Highway 10. Marshall fired a handgun out of his truck window at officers during the chase before he was apprehended in a standoff that involved roughly two dozen police vehicles, per the same account from the Journal-World. No officers were injured during the pursuit, according to KSHB.

A Confession, and a Motive Police Say Was False

During interrogations shortly after his arrest, Marshall confessed to the killings, claiming he targeted McCoy and O'Brien because he believed they were child molesters on a personal list he had compiled, according to the Journal-World.

At trial in May 2026, defense attorney Branden Bell presented a drug-use and impaired-state defense, according to the Journal-World's trial coverage.

Guilty Verdict After Four Years Awaiting Trial

On May 18, 2026, a Douglas County District Court jury of seven women and five men convicted Marshall on nine felony counts. KSHB reports the jury found Marshall guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and one count of fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Marshall had been subject to a $1.5 million bond since his arrest. Judge Amy Hanley presided over the case, according to the Journal-World. The case proceeded to trial without a plea deal, per a Lawrence Police Department post detailing the case.

DA: Sentence Holds Marshall Accountable

Douglas County District Attorney Dakota Loomis said, per a press release cited by KSHB, that the verdict could provide accountability and closure.

A Rare Double Homicide for Lawrence

The McCoy and O'Brien killings were homicides in Lawrence in 2022. The case unfolded that year.

The convictions included two counts of first-degree murder, along with attempted murder and assault convictions. Marshall's sentence included two consecutive Hard 50 life terms followed by consecutive multiple-year terms. The case also included aggravated-assault convictions against law enforcement officers.

According to the Kansas Reflector, a Shawnee County judge sentenced Dana Chandler to consecutive life sentences without a chance for parole for 50 years in a 2002 double murder.