John Nondorf, 37, was shot to death on December 2, 2017, at a Motel 6 on Goldenwest Street in Westminster, California. He had been staying at the motel with his fiancée when an argument outside his room escalated into gunfire. The confrontation began after Jonathan Breon Dunlap was said to have bumped Nondorf’s SUV; witnesses gave conflicting accounts about whether Dunlap apologized or responded aggressively.

According to reports, Nondorf used racial slurs, went back to his room for a child-sized baseball bat, and returned to confront Dunlap. A friend of Dunlap’s retrieved a gun from a car and either handed it to Dunlap or Dunlap took it. Nondorf was shot in the face and shoulder outside the motel room. The prosecution said Dunlap punched Nondorf before shooting; the defense said Nondorf charged with the bat and Dunlap acted in self-defense. Surveillance footage and witness testimony, including Nondorf’s fiancée confirming racial slurs by both men, were presented at trial. Dunlap was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and discharging a firearm causing death and received a 28-years-to-life sentence.