DOLAN SPRINGS, AZ – A Dolan Springs man has been arrested on homicide charges after a 70-year-old victim died from injuries sustained in a shooting earlier this month.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 10000 block of Earl Road at approximately 5:25 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, after a 911 call captured the sound of an argument before the line disconnected.
When deputies arrived, they found 70-year-old Willard Eugene Belt Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital for emergency surgery, while Sheriff’s Office detectives launched an extensive investigation.
Investigators later learned that Ronald Lee McKinnon, 35, of Dolan Springs, had allegedly gone to the victim’s residence to confront him over a property dispute. According to the victim, McKinnon threatened to kill him before allegedly shooting him multiple times.
As detectives continued their investigation, they uncovered another incident that occurred the day before the shooting. On Saturday, July 11, McKinnon and Angela Nanette Baker, 60, of Dolan Springs, were allegedly involved in a confrontation at a residence on Jasper Drive in Dolan Springs. Investigators say McKinnon retrieved a .22-caliber rifle from his vehicle, fired into a vehicle on the property, and then fired additional rounds toward residents before the firearm malfunctioned. No one was injured during that incident, and surveillance video reportedly corroborated witness statements.
After several days of following leads and conducting surveillance, detectives located McKinnon and Baker on Thursday, July 16, at a residence on South Verde Road in Golden Valley. McKinnon, Baker, and two other occupants were taken into custody without incident while detectives executed a search warrant.
During the search, detectives were notified that Belt had succumbed to his injuries at a Las Vegas hospital. His death elevated the investigation to a homicide.
The following individuals were booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility:
- Ronald Lee McKinnon, 35, of Dolan Springs
- Homicide
- Attempted Homicide
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Misconduct Involving Weapons
- John Allen Carlton, 45, of Golden Valley
- Hindering Prosecution
- Angela Nanette Baker, 60, of Dolan Springs
- Hindering Prosecution
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing.
