On Feb. 3 in Pinal County Superior Court, Daniel Schmitt, 30, was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison for the November 2023 shooting death of John Bunyard after the all-night rave Program Your Reality outside Superior.
Schmitt opened fire following the conclusion of the rave, according to Pinal County Court Records, killing Bunyard and injuring his girlfriend, Ashtyn O’Hara. The couple were the event's promoters.
The sentence was part of a December plea deal with Pinal County prosecutors wherein Schmitt, a truck driver, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Bunyard and aggravated assault for injuring O’Hara.
Schmitt was sentenced by Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn to 16 years in prison for killing Bunyard and a consecutive 3.5-year sentence for injuring O’Hara. Schmitt was originally charged with first-degree murder for Bunyard’s death and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting O’Hara.
John Bunyard, left, with girlfriend Ashtyn O'Hara at a desert rave in November 2023 before they were shot.
Symon Kitchen
‘There were no problems or drama the entire night’
The sentencing came more than a year after the deadly incident occurred after an all-night party filled with electronic dance music.Program Your Reality was promoted by Bunyard and O’Hara’s company, Club Dezzi. Approximately 100 to 300 people attended the event, according to Pinal County court records.
Symon Kitchen, a friend of Bunyard who performed at the rave as DJ MetaZone, told Phoenix New Times the event went smoothly before the shooting.
Desert raves have been a staple of Phoenix’s EDM scene for decades. The all-night parties feature DJs performing on sound systems powered by generators and occur in remote desert areas on the Valley’s outskirts
Kitchen says Bunyard and O’Hara had promoted raves since 2020 and “really enjoyed” the pursuit. The couple reportedly had been looking forward to Program Your Reality and Bunyard, also known as DJ ColdPress, performed one of the party’s final DJ sets.
Records: Gunman saw ‘demons’ and ‘distorted faces'
According to court records, Schmitt, who moved to the Valley in early 2023, attended Program Your Reality with a friend. After arriving, they dropped LSD and Schmitt later drank a green liquid offered by another attendee identified in court records as mescaline.According to court records, Schmitt entered a drug-induced state, hallucinating that other attendees were "demons" with “black eyes, distorted faces and long, lizard-like tongues as they spoke to him.”
Schmitt later retreated to his car, where he “felt protected from the demons,” according to court records. He later heard gunshots and, unable to find his car keys, returned to the party armed with a gun he carried for protection.
Schmitt attempted to enter another vehicle and encountered Bunyard, who he perceived as having “solid black eyes and a distorted face,” according to records. He demanded keys Bunyard had around his neck before opening fire on another attendee. Bunyard rushed Schmitt and was shot multiple times with the gunfire also striking O’Hara in the abdomen, back and forearm.
Schmitt fled but called 911, admitted to the killing and was arrested by Pinal County Sheriff’s ties. Bunyard died at the scene, while O’Hara was taken to a Valley hospital for surgery.
An undated photo of John Bunyard performing as DJ ColdPress at a desert rave outside of Phoenix.
Symon Kitchen
'It will never bring our brother back.'
According to court records, Schmitt accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse for killing Bunyard and injuring O’Hara.In victim statements read during the sentencing, O’Hara and Bunyard’s family say they were devastated by his murder.
"The life John and I created was so beautiful, and although my physical injuries have mostly healed, it will take a very long time for my heart to heal,” O’Hara stated.
Elizabeth Bunyard, John’s sister, stated his murder caused the loss of “an extraordinary soul — someone who was happy, kind, considerate, caring and deeply compassionate.”
“Because of (Schmitt’s) negligence and drug use, the world has lost someone irreplaceable. The pain his actions have caused to our family — and the (O’Hara) family — is immeasurable,” Elizabeth Bunyard stated. “While Daniel’s testimony may have seemed heartfelt, it will never bring our brother back.”
