Witness says McGuire was shooter

A witness said Brian Allen McGuire approached a fellow custodian in Leestown Middle School last week, shot him multiple times and ran out of the school's cafeteria, according to court records.

McGuire has been charged with murder in the death of José Daniel Donato, who died of gunshot wounds June 9. In Fayette District court Friday, McGuire, 27, entered a not guilty plea via camera from the Fayette County jail where he was being held on a $100,000 cash bond.

A witness told Lexington police that he and Donato, 38, were working together in the school when McGuire walked toward them with a handgun and shot Donato, according to an arrest warrant filed in Fayette District Court. Another witness in the building said he heard seven to 10 shots fired, the warrant says.

McGuire fled and led police on a 30-hour manhunt. He turned himself into authorities June 10 in Grain Valley, Mo., nearly 600 miles from Lexington.

McGuire is scheduled to return to court June 24.

This story was originally published June 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Witness says McGuire was shooter."