UPDATED: Quantico Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Attempted First Degree Murder of Step-Daughter
Image courtesy Wicomico County State’s Attorney
UPDATED – 11/07/25 – A Quantico man has been sentenced to fifty years in prison for the attempted first degree murder of his step-daughter. On Thursday, 71 year old McKinley Cornish was sentenced by Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Wicomico County, Kathleen Beckstead for attempted first degree murder, firearms charges and related offenses. After the June 24, 2024 shooting, Cornish was arrested the following day in Franklin City, Virginia.
Additional information from the Wicomico County AG:
Jamie Dykes, Wicomico County State’s Attorney, said “The victim will forever be scarred by Cornish’s actions but should never have to fear for her safety again. 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.”
SA Dykes commended the efforts of the Maryland State Police – Salisbury Barrack, STATE Team, and Aviation Division, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the West Side Fire Department and the Salisbury
Fire Department, whose joint efforts saved the victim’s life that night. SA Dykes also praised and thanked members of the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigations Division for their work and diligence in the investigation, specifically thanking Senior Trooper G. Dick for his hard work, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Bourdon and Assistant State’s Attorney Darin Ruark for their determined advocacy in this case.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 09/19/25 – A Quantico man has been convicted of attempted first degree murder and other offenses. The conviction came at the end of a three-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County. Judge Kathleen Beckstead has postponed sentencing for 71 year old McKinley Cornish so that a pre-sentence investigation can be conducted. Cornish will remain in custody pending the sentencing in this matter.
Court records show Cornish was upset over his marriage ending and threatened and then shot his 19 year old step-daughter multiple times while she was on the phone with 911. Cornish fled the scene with the firearm and was located the following day in Franklin City, Virginia.
The victim survived the attack.
Additional information from the Wicomico County State’s Attorney:
On June 24, 2024, Cornish, angry over his marriage ending, kicked in the door to his nineteen (19) year-old stepdaughter’s bedroom. The victim had moments earlier called 911 over concerning statements she overheard from Cornish. While the victim was still on the line with 911, Cornish shot into the wall and threatened that he would shoot her next. Despite the victim’s desperate pleas for her life, Cornish shot her approximately eight (8) times, hitting her in the arm, shoulder, stomach, back, and legs. Incredibly, the victim survived the attack. Cornish fled with the firearm and was located the following day in Franklin City, Virginia. Cornish was prohibited from possessing the gun because of prior criminal activity.
Jamie Dykes, Wicomico County State’s Attorney, said “This case illustrates how illegal firearm possession by prohibited individuals fuels preventable violence in our community. Had Cornish obeyed the law, he would not have had access to guns, would have been unable to commit these crimes, and the 19-year-old survivor would not be forced to carry the lasting impact of Cornish’s violence.”
SA Dykes commended the efforts of the Maryland State Police – Salisbury Barrack, STATE Team, and Aviation Division, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the West Side Fire Department and the Salisbury Fire Department, whose joint efforts saved the victim’s life that night. SA Dykes also praised and thanked members of the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigations Division for their work and diligence in the investigation, specifically thanking Senior Trooper G. Dick for his hard work, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Bourdon and Assistant State’s Attorney Darin Ruark for their determined advocacy in this case.