Second brother pleads in Christmas 2019 fatal shooting in Coralville

IOWA CITY — The second brother accused in the Christmas 2019 fatal shooting of Gregory Jackson in Coralville has pleaded to lesser charges.

Elijah McAbee, 20, originally charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder, pleaded in writing last week to carrying weapons and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, both aggravated misdemeanors, and assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.

He faces up to five years in prison, but the prosecution and defense will ask for concurrent sentences for a total of two years in prison, according to the plea agreement.

Elijah McAbee, in the plea, admitted he caused injury to a witness, Earl Galtney, who was with Jackson at the time of the shooting on Dec. 25, 2019, in the area of 952 Boston Way. He also admitted to displaying a loaded firearm without a valid permit to carry, the plea states.

His brother, Milton McAbee, 21, has pleaded to voluntary manslaughter and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

Milton, in his plea, admitted to intentionally shooting Jackson in retaliation for him “pistol-whipping” his father and breaking his jaw earlier that day. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness declined to explain why the plea agreement were made.

Court documents filed after the brothers’ arrests indicated both were involved in the Jackson shooting, and Elijah was accused of shooting another witness.

Coralville police were called to the area at 9:32 p.m. where they found three people with gunshot injuries.

Jackson and Galtney, who was shot in the shoulder, were taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, according to the search warrant affidavit. Jackson died about 10:41 p.m. An autopsy stated he had three to four gunshot wounds.

While investigators were at that hospital, they learned the brothers’ father, Phillip McAbee, was being treated for a fractured jaw as a result of being pistol-whipped by Jackson, according to the affidavit.

A criminal complaint stated Milton McAbee, in retaliation for Jackson injuring his father, threatened to kill Jackson. He obtained a gun and went with others to confront the man, fatally shooting him.

Milton McAbee admitted the shooting to another person, according to the complaint.

Officers at the scene said Elijah McAbee also was “upset and agitated” about what had happened to his father, the affidavits stated.

Galtney identified Elijah McAbee, who he recognized from the neighborhood, as the one who shot him.

Elijah McAbee will be sentenced Nov. 19. His brother’s sentencing is set for Dec. 3 in Johnson County District Court.

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