Police shoot, kill man who allegedly stole water taxi in Laughlin

Bullhead City police shot and killed a man suspected of stealing a mail truck in Arizona and a boat in Laughlin on Thursday, according to a news release and a post on social media.

Erick Tom Watkins, 48, was shot by two Bullhead City Police Department officers outside an apartment building in Bullhead City at about 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, according to a news release from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the shooting.

Watkins was struck by gunfire from the officers, the release said.

At about 1:40 p.m. Thursday, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a mail truck theft in Fort Mohave, according to the release.

The driver of the mail truck reported that another vehicle had pulled up next to the truck. A person got out of that vehicle and into the truck before both vehicles drove off, the release said.

Just before 3 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department officers in Laughlin found the vehicle believe to have been used by the suspect in the theft.

According to the release, an officer approached Watkins, who was behind a building in the 2900 block of South Casino Drive. Watkins allegedly pointed a gun at the officer before running away to a boat dock area along the Colorado River.

Watkins then stole a boat and ran it aground on the Bullhead City side of the river, the release said. In a post on X, the Bullhead City Police Department said “a man reportedly stole a water taxi.” He fled to an apartment complex in the 1600 block of state Route 95 in Bullhead City, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Watkins “pulled a handgun” and began firing at a Bullhead City police officer, the release said.

“The officer engaged the subject in gunfire,” the release said. “A second officer arrived and also engaged the subject with gunfire. During the gunfire, the subject was struck.”

Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

The stolen mail truck was found, the release said. Mail and other personal items from the truck had been removed.

The other suspect involved in the vehicle theft was still outstanding, authorities said. The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the second suspect to call 928-753-0753.

Metro officers were not involved in the shooting, a Metro spokesperson said Friday. No other injuries were reported.

Contact Bryan Horwath at bhorwath@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BryanHorwath on X.