photo by: Sara Shepherd

Lawrence police block off an apartment complex in the 400 block of Graystone Drive following a reported shooting, Thursday afternoon, March 8, 2018.

A man was convicted Tuesday for shooting another man with his own gun at a Lawrence apartment last year.

Rodney L. McNeal, 22, of Kansas City, Kan., pleaded no contest to robbery and aggravated battery in the afternoon shooting on March 8, 2018, at 449 Graystone Drive in the Country Club on 6th apartment complex. Both convictions are felonies.

McNeal’s sentencing was set for May 21.

In addition to serving prison time, since McNeal used a deadly weapon in the crimes, he must register as a violent offender for 15 years, Douglas County District Court Judge Kay Huff said.

Prosecutor Deborah Moody said evidence shows that McNeal entered the 19-year-old victim’s home while the victim was out, and was still inside when the victim came home. During a confrontation in the bedroom, McNeal used the victim’s gun and shot him in the hip area. He then ran from the home, taking the gun.

According to a police affidavit previously reported by the Journal-World, shortly after the shooting a man later identified as McNeal went into a vision clinic about half a mile from the scene, though staff there didn’t call police until the day after the shooting, after seeing news coverage.

They said the man came in out of breath and bleeding from his hands. He asked to use the restroom, and left blood on the front counter and in the bathroom. He also asked to use one staffer’s cell phone to contact a friend on Snapchat, but she refused.

The police affidavit also indicated that the shooting followed a meeting that had been a set-up. Another man, charged in a series of other armed robberies after set-up drug buys in town, told police he’d arranged a marijuana sale that day between McNeal and the shooting victim.

McNeal was charged in August 2018 and arrested in October 2018.

Prior to his plea, McNeal had been charged with aggravated battery, aggravated burglary and theft, all felonies.

He remains jailed on $125,000 bond.

photo by: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Rodney L. McNeal