Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Colorado City, Golden Valley, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley, Littlefield, Beaver Dam, Meadview, Chloride, Topock, Yucca
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.
Bullhead City Police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop Friday night involving a red Dodge Caravan near Hancock Road. The driver failed to stop, leading officers into a vehicle pursuit through Bullhead City.
According to initial scanner traffic, the suspect reportedly displayed what appeared to be a firearm during the pursuit. Multiple police units responded as the pursuit continued through the area.
The vehicle continued on Hancock Road before turning north onto Highway 95, then onto Rio Rancho Boulevard, and eventually onto Tapito Drive in Bullhead City.
The pursuit came to an end when the driver stopped the vehicle. The suspect then fled on foot, leading officers into a foot pursuit. A Taser was deployed, and the suspect was taken into custody.
The individual was transported to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center (WARMC) for treatment of injuries sustained during the arrest.
At this time, the suspect’s identity, charges, and additional details have not been released. Information in this report is based on initial scanner traffic and details available from the scene. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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On Friday, June 26, 2026, at approximately 10:44 p.m., the Bullhead City Fire Department responded to the 1300 block of Zircon Avenue following reports of a utility trailer on fire next to a residence near the street. 🚒 Upon arrival, firefighters found the trailer fully engulfed in flames. Crews immediately began attacking the fire and worked quickly to prevent it from spreading to the nearby home and surrounding property. ⚠️ The cause of the fire has not been released and remains under investigation. 📲 Bullhead Laughlin News will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
On the morning of Thursday, March 5, 2026, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) state trooper conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a pickup truck for speeding on State Route 95 north of Lake Havasu City. This enforcement action quickly escalated into a significant arrest that removed a wanted violent offender from the community.
During the stop, the front-seat passenger provided the trooper with a false name. When asked for additional identification, the individual became evasive and refused to provide his true identity. The trooper instructed the passenger to step out of the vehicle for further investigation, at which point the suspect began physically resisting. A struggle ensued, and the trooper deployed his Taser, safely subduing and detaining the suspect.
A fingerprint scan identified the suspect as 23-year-old Gilberto Mendez III, the subject of active parole warrants, including one for second-degree murder. Mendez was also wanted by the Bullhead City Police Department in connection with multiple shootings in Bullhead City.
“We thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for their assistance in apprehending this violent suspect, who is believed to be connected to multiple shootings in Bullhead City over the past several months,” said Bullhead City Police Corporal Walter Morales. “This arrest is an important step in holding those responsible accountable and keeping our community safe.”
Mendez was ultimately booked into the Mohave County Jail on his warrants. He faces additional charges, including resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a first responder, and identity theft.
This incident highlights the critical role traffic enforcement plays in protecting Arizona’s communities. Thanks to the trooper’s vigilance and professionalism, a wanted violent offender is no longer in the community.
AZDPS remains committed to providing public safety through proactive enforcement and strong partnerships across the state.
