MOHAVE COUNTY — On Sunday, July 12, at approximately 5:25 a.m., Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the 10000 block of Earl Rd. in Dolan Springs after receiving a 911 call. During this call, an argument could be heard in the background and then the line disconnected. Deputies responded to the scene to find a 70-year-old male had been shot several times. The victim was unresponsive at the time and was flown to a Las Vegas hospital. Detectives were unable to obtain a statement from the victim due to his current medical status.
On Monday July 13, Detectives responded to the hospital to obtain a statement from the victim. At this time, it was learned that Ronald McKinnon, 35 of Dolan Springs, had come to the residence and engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim over property. The victim stated McKinnon told him that he was “going to have to kill him,” at which time McKinnon fired a weapon and struck the victim multiple times.
While conducting follow-up, contact was made at a residence in the 15000 block of Jasper Dr. in Dolan Springs. Detectives learned that on Saturday afternoon, July 11, McKinnon had been at the residence with Angela Baker, 60 of Dolan Springs. An argument ensued between McKinnon and the resident, at which time McKinnon retrieved a rifle from his vehicle. McKinnon fired at least one round into a vehicle on the property and then pointed the rifle at the residents, firing at least two additional rounds towards them. The weapon then malfunctioned, at which time McKinnon and Baker left the property in a vehicle. The weapon was described as a .22 rifle and evidence found on scene confirmed it was the same caliber weapon used in the shooting on Earl Rd. No one was injured during this incident and video surveillance on the property confirmed the allegations.
On Thursday, July 16, detectives located a vehicle parked at a residence of a known associate of McKinnon in the 500 block of S. Verde Rd. in Golden Valley. A perimeter was formed around the residence and contact was attempted. During this time, four occupants came out of the residence, two of which were identified as McKinnon and Baker. All subjects were taken detained without incident. Detectives executed a search warrant of the property. While serving the search warrant, Detectives were notified that the victim of the shooting on Earl Rd. had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at a Las Vegas hospital. The victim has been identified as Willard Euguene Belt Jr., 70 of Dolan Springs.
The following suspects were booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility.
Ronald Lee McKinnon (35 of Dolan Springs): two counts Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misconduct Involving Weapons, Attempted Homicide, Homicide
John Allen Carlton (45 of Golden Valley): Hindering Prosecution
Angela Nanette Baker (60 of Dolan Springs): Hindering Prosecution
This investigation is ongoing.
