KINGMAN – State police said a local resident committed a murder-suicide following a Sunday traffic stop in Kingman. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the older model pickup truck was pulled over at 1:49 p.m.
A news release said during the course of the traffic stop the trooper learned the driver and passenger had felony warrants with nationwide extradition pending for illegal drugs out of Colorado.
“When the trooper returned to the pickup, the driver displayed a handgun and shot the female passenger,” the release said. “As a result of the driver’s actions, the trooper drew and fired his duty weapon at the driver in an attempt to stop the deadly threat. As the trooper fired, the driver simultaneously turned the gun on himself and fired.”
DPS said the driver and passenger were declared deceased on scene. The driver was identified as Kyle Don Axtell, 57, Kingman and the passenger as Kelly Susanne Nickolson, 50.
The trooper was not injured and an investigation continues.
- Dave Hawkins
