Gordon "Hoss" Lee McKinney, a 55-year-old white male, passed away on October 27, 2020, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Panama City, Florida. McKinney, originally from Taylorville, Illinois, was a Retail Construction Superintendent and was working on a project in Panama City at the time of his death. He was known for his dedication to his work and his travels across the country for various construction projects.
The circumstances surrounding McKinney's death were tragic and involved
a violent altercation. On the morning of October 27, 2020, McKinney was involved in a dispute with David Allan Donaldson, a 42-year-old white male from Havana, Florida. The altercation occurred at a construction site behind the Panama City Square shopping plaza. The disagreement, which stemmed from work-related issues, escalated when Donaldson produced a pistol and shot McKinney twice, including once in the back. McKinney was immediately taken to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Following the incident, Donaldson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm. During the trial, Donaldson claimed self-defense, but the prosecution highlighted inconsistencies in his account and pointed out that Donaldson did not have any visible injuries that would support his claim. The jury found Donaldson guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder charge and an additional five years for the aggravated assault, to be served consecutively.
The trial and conviction brought some measure of closure to McKinney's family, who had been deeply affected by his untimely death. McKinney's daughter, Cortney McKinney, expressed relief at the verdict, stating that it provided some comfort knowing that Donaldson was being held accountable for his actions. McKinney's widow, Sherri McKinney, also spoke about the profound impact her husband's death had on their family, emphasizing the loss of a loving and supportive husband and father.
Gordon "Hoss" Lee McKinney's death was a significant loss to his family and friends, and the legal proceedings that followed highlighted the tragic consequences of the violent altercation that led to his untimely demise.
