Brayden James Leschinkohl jailed for revenge shotgun shooting

Brayden James Leschinkohl, 28, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a shotgun incident in West Wallsend. The incident occurred on September 26, 2024, after two men met on a remote road to resolve a dispute following a day of exchanging threats.

A struggle over a shotgun resulted in a 39-year-old victim being shot in the left leg at close range. As the victim lay in pain, Leschinkohl took control of the weapon and shot him in the other leg. Judge Roy Ellis characterized the second shot as “deadset revenge,” noting that the injuries were severe enough that a portion of the victim's leg was destroyed. The victim underwent three surgeries and faces long-term disability.

Leschinkohl originally denied the charges but pleaded guilty during a court callover. Prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of possessing a loaded firearm in a public place because they could not establish which party brought the weapon to the meeting or prove Leschinkohl was responsible for the initial discharge of the shotgun.