A quiet Saturday night in Dolan Springs turned tense when deputies say a local man opened fire on a business from what they described as a "sniper's position," hitting an empty vehicle but, by sheer luck, not a single person. Authorities say 64-year-old Kevin Paul Barnes was arrested without a struggle, yet the late-night scare has left the small Mohave County community on edge.
What Deputies Say Happened
Mohave County Sheriff’s deputies were called out shortly after 9:45 p.m. to reports of gunfire at a business near Pierce Ferry Road and 9th Street, where they say they found Barnes armed with a firearm. According to Arizona's Family, the encounter started far more routinely: deputies say Barnes pulled over with a flat tire, a Good Samaritan stopped to help, and a confrontation somehow spiraled into gunfire.
Sniper Position And Weapon
Detectives told 8NewsNow that Barnes eventually crossed the street, took cover behind a low wall and fired four to five rounds from what investigators described as a 30-06 rifle. Officials say he had already fired at a man’s vehicle earlier in the incident and allegedly shot at a woman who was walking into the store before moving into the position across the street.
Charges And Custody
Barnes was taken to the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility in Kingman, where he was booked on two counts of attempted homicide. Detectives say more charges could be added as the case develops. As reported by Arizona's Family, jail records show he remained behind bars as investigators continued interviewing witnesses and gathering physical evidence. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges once detectives finish their work.
What Neighbors Should Know
Dolan Springs sits roughly 79 to 80 miles southeast of Las Vegas, but this shooting is a reminder that serious violence in northwest Arizona can ripple far beyond one desert town. Mapping data puts the drive to Las Vegas at about 79 miles, and authorities are asking anyone with video or information to contact the sheriff’s office. Local outlets report that the quick sheltering of customers inside the business helped prevent injuries.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office says the scene remains under review and that key details, including any motive, have not been released. Investigators are urging residents with tips to call the sheriff’s tip line so they can fully piece together how a flat tire turned into a shooting that rattled an entire community.
