DA to seek death penalty for Nevada gunman, 24, charged with killing McDonald's worker, 16, in 'motiveless' attack through drive-thru window

A Nevada District Attorney intends to seek the death penalty for a man charged with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old McDonald's employee in what police have described as a 'random' act of violence.

Cops say 24-year-old Justin Michael Mullis, of Winnemucca, Nevada, walked up to the drive-thru in Elko at around 9.30pm on Sunday night and shot Kylee Leniz, who was working at the window.    

The high school student was taken to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. 

Police are still searching for a motive for the crime as there appears to have been no connection between Mullis and Leniz.  

Justin Mullis, 24 (pictured left), has been charged with murder in the killing of Kylee Leniz, 16, on Sunday at the McDonald's in Nevada where she worked. No motive has been identified

The teen was working at the drive-thru when Mullis shot her through the window

Mullis fled on foot after shooting high school student Kylee Leniz, pictured above

On Wednesday, Elko County District Attorney Tyler Ingram charged Mullis with one count of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon, and concealing or destroying evidence of the commission of a felony. 

Open murder includes the crimes of first-degree and second-degree murder as well as voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.  

It came following a manhunt for the suspect who was captured on surveillance footage from McDonald's carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder.

Justin Michael Mullis, 24, has been arrested and charged over the killing. He is pictured here on surveillance footage

It showed him firing one shot from a 9mm handgun and fleeing the scene on foot. 

Surveillance footage from a nearby motel showed a person who appeared to be the suspect walking through the hallway with a similar duffle bag and wearing the same clothes. 

The bag was found near the motel following a search. 

Elko police released an image of the man in the motel surveillance footage and issued it to the public in an attempt to identify him. 

Mullis was driven to the police station by an acquaintance on Monday afternoon, despite a women initially calling cops to say he was with her all evening, where he was then interviewed by detectives and taken into custody. 

According to Elko Daily, Mullis reportedly admitted to the shooting and to ditching the duffle bag behind the motel and changing clothes. 

He was charged with 'destroying, altering, erasing, obliterating, and/or concealing items of clothing, and/or apparel, and/or accessories, and/or a duffle bag or similar item, and/or a handgun'. 

The police thanked the public for the tips and information they provided before Mullis was brought in.

They are still reportedly on the hunt for the murder weapon.  

Elko Police Department Lt. Mike Palhegyi said that Mullis has no history of prior violent criminal activity, leaving cops perplexed as to the reason for his crime. 

'There's absolutely no reason for this that we have been able to determine,' Palhegyi said. 

Mullis is being held without bail in Elko County Jail. 

A friend of Kylee, pictured left with unidentified friends, said she was 'thankful to have a person like you in my life'

Family and friends are holding a vigil for Kylee, pictured left, on Friday night

Local McDonald's spokesman Chris Kassity is reported by Elko Daily as saying the company's thoughts were with the victim's family. 

'It is with a heavy heart that we lost one of our Elko employees and are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred last night,' Kassity said. 

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the employee during this deeply difficult time.

'We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they continue to investigate this tragedy.' 

A vigil will be held for the teen on Friday night where attendees are encouraged to wear purple, her favorite color. 

A Google image shows the McDonald's in Elko, Nevada where Leniz worked in the drivethru

A friend posted a tribute to Leniz on Facebook, pictured above, saying she was 'someone that made anyone happy or turned there worse days into good days'

Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals were laid near the McDonald's following Leniz's death and a 'Justice for Kylee' Facebook page was started on Monday, garnering more than 1,200 members by Friday.

Friends also took to social media to post tributes to Leniz, with one writing that she was 'thankful to have a person like you in my life' and described her friend as 'someone that made anyone happy or turned there worse days into good days .'

'It still doesn't feel real.. She was so innocent and so driven in so many ways,' another wrote. 

'She deserved better.. She was so loving and caring, so humble and kind, her smile always turned bad days into better days because she was so positive and so beautiful in so many ways.

'She was good to talk to about anything, anytime. I miss her and I'm so so sorry it couldn't have been different because we all wish it could have been!' they added.  

Elko High School, where Leniz was a student, said it would offer mental health support to fellow students. 

Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals were among the items placed outside the McDonalds in memory of Leniz after she was gunned down with no apparent motive on Sunday

Mourners hang balloons from a tree near the McDonald's where Leniz was shot dead

Mourners gather near the McDonald's to remember Leniz, 16, who was killed while working there on Sunday night. A vigil will be held for the high school student on Friday night