On Sunday, July 12, at approximately 5:25 a.m., Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 10000 block of Earl Road in Dolan Springs after receiving a 911 call. During the call, dispatchers could hear an argument in the background before the line disconnected.
When deputies arrived, they found 70-year-old Willard Eugene Belt Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was flown to a Las Vegas hospital for emergency surgery. Detectives responded to the scene, assumed the investigation, executed a search warrant, and collected evidence. Due to the severity of his injuries, investigators were initially unable to interview the victim.
On Monday, July 13, detectives obtained a statement from Belt at the hospital. According to investigators, Belt said Ronald Lee McKinnon, 35, of Dolan Springs, came to his residence and confronted him over a property dispute. During the argument, McKinnon allegedly told Belt he was “going to have to kill him” before firing multiple rounds, striking him several times.
Over the following days, detectives continued to pursue leads, following up on numerous tips and conducting surveillance on known associates of McKinnon.
During the investigation, detectives contacted residents at a home in the 15000 block of Jasper Drive in Dolan Springs. They learned that on Saturday, July 11, McKinnon and Angela Nanette Baker, 60, of Dolan Springs, had been involved in a separate confrontation at the property. Investigators say McKinnon retrieved a .22-caliber rifle from his vehicle, fired at least one round into a vehicle, then pointed the rifle at residents and fired at least two more rounds before the weapon malfunctioned. McKinnon and Baker then fled the scene in a gray Chrysler convertible. No one was injured, and surveillance video reportedly confirmed the incident. Evidence recovered at the scene indicated the same caliber firearm was used in the Earl Road shooting.
On Thursday, July 16, detectives located the suspect vehicle at a residence in the 500 block of South Verde Road in Golden Valley. A perimeter was established, and four people exited the residence, including McKinnon and Baker. All four were detained without incident while detectives executed a search warrant.
During the search, detectives were notified that Belt had died from his injuries at the Las Vegas hospital. His death elevated the investigation from attempted homicide to homicide.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the following individuals were booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility:
- Ronald Lee McKinnon (35, Dolan Springs): Two counts of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misconduct Involving Weapons, Attempted Homicide, and Homicide.
- John Allen Carlton (45, Golden Valley): Hindering Prosecution.
- Angela Nanette Baker (60, Dolan Springs): Hindering Prosecution.
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