GOLDEN VALLEY, AZ (3/10/26) – The Bullhead City Police Department continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 4, 2026, in Golden Valley involving deputies from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have identified the deceased individual as Johnny Manion Friend, 45, of Golden Valley, Arizona.
Officials have also released the names of the deputies involved in the shooting:
Sergeant David Kinion – 13 years of service with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Detective Devin Godfrey – 8 years of service Detective Jason Zappela – Hired as a detention officer in 2017 and became a deputy in 2020 (9 years of service) Deputy Jose Cardenas – Hired as a detention officer in 2017 and became a deputy in 2018 (9 years of service)
Original Incident
On Wednesday, March 4 at approximately 8:25 a.m., deputies with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property in the 4500 block of Muscovite Road in Golden Valley to arrest a 45-year-old man connected to an aggravated assault domestic violence incident that had occurred earlier that morning.
According to investigators, the suspect barricaded himself inside a trailer on the property and told deputies he was armed. Shortly after barricading himself, the suspect intentionally started a fire inside the trailer.
Authorities say the suspect then began firing shots toward deputies positioned outside. Four deputies returned gunfire, striking the suspect. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
The trailer quickly became fully engulfed in flames. Deputies pulled the suspect from near the entrance of the trailer and away from the blaze. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Golden Valley Fire District responded and extinguished the fire. No other individuals were inside the trailer.
As standard protocol, the deputies involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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