Nashville man pleads guilty to killing his stepsisters, who were playing on a snow day

Queshan Brooks admitted that he was responsible for a string of 2018 shootings that shattered multiple families and left three people dead, including his young stepsisters.

Investigators never identified a motive, and Brooks didn't offer one when he appeared in court Tuesday in an orange jumpsuit. He just pleaded guilty as charged on all 14 criminal counts facing him.

Brooks remained stoic, but courtroom erupted in emotion. His stepmother called him a coward as staff escorted her outside.

Prosecutors say Brooks, 26, will remain in prison for at least 51 years.

Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier could extend the sentence during a two-day hearing later this year. Multiple victims in the case are expected to speak.

Brooks was charged with three counts of premeditated murder after the shooting deaths of his young stepsisters, and a 70-year-old man whom he targeted during a carjacking in North Nashville.

He shot his stepsisters — 8-year-old Sammarre Daniel and 5-year-old Samaii Daniel — while they were playing outside in the snow on Jan. 12, 2018. In court testimony, their mother said she saw him standing over their bodies, holding a gun "execution style."

After he ran from the scene, Brooks encountered Robert Payne and Patrick Hancock and stole the car they were in. He shot them both. Payne died at the scene. 

Brooks also shot and wounded his stepmother, Darnykka Daniel McCray.

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and atamburin@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tamburintweets.