Barricaded Killer Shoots Himself During Negotiations

"GOLDEN VALLEY, AZ — A Mohave County man shot himself to death Monday afternoon during a barricade situation, hours after he apparently shot and killed his girlfriend, authorities said.

"Sheriff's officials said Ronald Lee Rixe, 55, of Golden Valley, apparently shot himself in the head following three hours of negotiations with deputies. The Sheriff's Office was called about 1:15 p.m. by neighbors who reported that a man had shot his girlfriend and was loading her body into a vehicle, according to department spokeswoman Trish Carter.

"Rixe barricaded himself inside of the house when Mohave County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home, Carter said.

"Authorities heard a gunshot inside the Golden Valley residence three hours into the negotiations and when a Bullhead City Police Department robot was sent in to investigate, followed by a Tactical Operations Unit, authorities found Rixe dead of a gunshot to the head, Carter said.

"Authorities suspect Rixe had shot and killed Rhoda Jenell Knaack, 42, of Kingman, before deputies arrived on scene.

"They are believed to be boyfriend and girlfriend, said Carter.

"The investigation is ongoing."

From azcentral.com...