KINGMAN – The Mohave County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) has initially declined prosecution in a recent shooting death outside a well-known bar in downtown Kingman. Chief Deputy Attorney James Schoppmann confirmed that the MCAO has not authorized a criminal charge in the Aug. 15 death of Tim Prentice, 51.
Prentice died of a single gunshot to the chest at Kingman Regional Medical Center following the 1:30 a.m. violence outside the Sportsmans Lounge, commonly known as “Sporty’s,” in the 300 block of Andy Devine Ave. Initial investigation by the Kingman Police Department prompted the arrest of Anthony Rodriguez, 25, on a second-degree murder charge.
Deputy Police Chief Joel Freed said Rodriguez shot Prentice after the men engaged in a verbal argument. Schoppmann said the shooting actually occurred outside the bar on the south side of Andy Devine Ave., but north of the railroad tracks.
Schoppmann said Rodriguez was a passenger in a vehicle from which he fired at Prentice. He said the MCAO declined a shooting-related charge based on a review of evidence, including surveillance video, and a claim of self-defense by Rodriguez.
Shoppmann said ongoing investigation could change the posture of the case, but that Rodriguez, is free of any charge associated with the shooting.
Rodriguez, however, remained in custody at the Adult Detention Center as of Tuesday afternoon. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said paperwork revealed that Rodriguez was still held for second-degree murder and a Failure to Appear Charge out of Lake Havasu Justice Court.
Mortensen had no information about the Justice Court case.
Dave Hawkins
