DOLAN SPRINGS – A local resident who reportedly shot up the VFW in Dolan Springs was taken into custody following the November 22 incident. The subject arrested for two counts of attempted murder is identified as Kevin Barnes, 64.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reports that Barnes had pulled over to fix a flat tire in the vicinity of 9th Street and Havasu Road. A Good Samaritan who stopped to help Barnes later indicated that Barnes yelled and told him to quit following him.
“As the male subject was leaving, Barnes fired a handgun towards the victim’s vehicle,” said MCSO public information specialist Anita Mortensen. She said the victim pulled away, stopped a distance from the encounter and followed when Barnes pulled back onto the roadway in an effort to obtain his license plate information for law enforcement.
Mortensen said Barnes ended up in the VFW parking lot in the 15000 block of Pierce Ferry Road. The victim told investigators he entered the business to warn patrons of the potential threat.
The victim and a female who was entering the VFW at the same time reportedly drew rifle fire, but were not struck. Deputies responded at about 9:45 p.m. when the MCSO received a report that the business was under fire.
‘The reporting party indicated the suspect was in a `sniper’s position’ across the street,” Mortensen said. “When deputies arrived on scene, they observed the male subject with the weapon and began issuing commands to drop the weapon.”
Barnes reportedly complied and was detained.
Mortensen said it was determined that Barnes fired four to five shots from the rifle from his crouch behind a small wall. No one was injured, though one round reportedly struck an unoccupied vehicle.
Mortensen said it was not immediately clear what angered Barnes to fire upon a man who was attempting to assist him. She said other charges are possible as investigation is ongoing.
Dave Hawkins
